Posted by
DecoNservAtiVE on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 8:28:01 PM
CRI Report
My take:
We need an approach to this that can address all the aspects of the failures in our correctional system. We need to reduce the number of inmates, increase rehab and reintroduction services, reevaluate the healthcare delivery system and retrain our corrections staff to maintain order AND inmate dignity without sacrificing safety.
We need to engage non-profits, business, religious groups and citizens to be the active and productive citizenry that existed in the 50's and 60's. We can't just heap blame (and I know CRI isn't doing that but some are) on "the system" or CMS and expect the problems to be fixed. We need solutions and when you need solutions instead of band-aids you turn not to the government but to the people. The question is will the money be there for all the areas it will be needed?
Community organizations will need the money to get counselors on the streets of our "hoods" and gang units will need the money to go after our rising gang population. Police departments are already cutting back but they need more boots on the ground. Schools need more resources to reach out to our troubled kids. Our streets need to be cleaned up which means revisiting that homeless problem we discussed a couple of weeks ago. Our buildings need to be renovated, our sprawl reduced (build up, not out) and our smog cut. Corruption, fraud, waste and abuse at all levels of government has to be stopped. How can we look to a government who's corrupt at nearly every level for answers? We can't. Government needs to clean its own house and God willing next year we citizens will begin that process. We must look to the individuals, communities and to businesses to fix these problems. Everyday I go to work in one of the largest buildings in Delaware. From my office I am able to see most of the city of Wilmington and what I see are businesses who have enjoyed some of the best corporate tax incentives in the world. I see banks who have (thanks to Delaware's limited consumer protections) made trillions on the backs of hardworking Americans. I see small business owners struggling to survive due to a deteriorating cityscape and culture. Taxes are not the answer as government would waste it and it would violate our founding principles. Redistribution isn't fair (but neither is a $58 billion bonus for Ken Lewis while employees with BofA see their bonuses cut) and again violates our founding principles. We've got to find a way to bring the money into the community to mutually benefit everyone.