If you made the laws

Good Day! - posted on 01/29/2010

Thank you Michelle. I had a family member that was raped and killed and that guy is serving life at Angola...one of the prisons I've done volunteer work in. I just can't think about it when I go in. I don't know his name or what he looks like and I've never asked because if I ever do come across him, my views that I've spent so much time debating, would go out the window. We do have to put our own personal feelings and hurts aside for what is best for society. You said it very well.

Michelle - posted on 01/29/2010

Laura, that's a great idea!! My tattoo is so messed up because I just didn't do the research I needed to do.... My own stupid fault, and I accept that, but I think that people wouldn't have nearly the trouble with it that they do if there were better regulations on it.

Michelle - posted on 01/29/2010

It doesn't make you cruel at all. It makes you human.
For example, here I am talking all big about this, which I TRULY believe in wholeheartedly. However, when I was 14 I took my adopted father (my mom's first husband, second baby daddy lol) to court for molesting me. He got 30 days in jail and 10 or more years probation. I think it's utter bullshit. If I truly take myself out of the situation, I can see where his probation board is coming from when they make decisions to let him have more privileges, but when it comes down to how I really feel, I hate it. I hate him. I want him to be in prison. But he's not. And intellectually I get it. But emotionally I don't.

You just have to realize that we can't make decisions about things like that with our emotions. The justice system, while imperfect, does the best that we as a society have been able to make it. We will continue to make changes, and it will never be perfect, but when you disagree with decisions made, sometimes you have to step outside of how you personally feel about it and try to better understand why the decision was made.

Jessica - posted on 01/29/2010

Oh, thats a good one Laura! I have alot of beautiful work done on me and while I cant tattoo I have designed many for friends. One friend of mine had me do up a design once and she took it to a buddy friend of hers who was doing it out of his house, charged her far to much and the work was terrible...the tattoo was shaky and her skin was gouged ( don't know if i spelt that right ) and it did get infected. Once she was healed and able, I took her to the tattoo artist thats done some of mine and he did an amazing cover up job. Tattooing and body piercing is definatly something that should be left to the pros! :)

La - posted on 01/29/2010

I think the tattoo and body piercing industry should have clear cut regulations specifically concerning licensure of artists and employees and facility cleanliness. I worked as a body piercer/modifier for years and it really bothers me how many hacks there are out there that don't know how to tattoo or pierce properly meanwhile I spent a lot of time and money learning how to do everything the correct way. I've had many people come to me to "fix" their modification after they went to a hack shop and got it done cheap (and horribly wrong). I've even seen people get staph and MRSA from really bad shops. Plus, I've seen way too many shops that are not clean and it hurts the industry as a whole.

Jessica - posted on 01/29/2010

I agree with most everything you wrote Michelle.

I've been told I can be harsh, and I didn't explain myself well, but what I wrote was pretaining to the mass murderers, rapists and pedophiles and not the non-violent crimes as well. The way I see it is, if ever the day came that something were to happen to someone I love by one of those types ( the murderers etc.), I could not turn to that person as they were on there way to serve time and say " good luck with rehilbilitation, I hope it works out for you" And perhaps that does make me cruel...

Michelle - posted on 01/29/2010

BTW-- obviously I'm not talking about mass murderers and rapists and pedophiles. I'm talking about non-violent crimes.

Michelle - posted on 01/29/2010

Ok...
Marijuana-- The electricity company can tell when you're growing weed. When pot gets legalized they will probably regulate growth. Not only that, but they can, do, and will tax the hell out of it because growing weed is a major pain in the ass and not too many people will want to deal with iy. My father-in-law is currently trying to become a medical dispensary (we live in a state with medical marijuana), and is learning all about it. It's a MAJOR pain in the ass to grow effectively. So, why go through all of that when you can go buy some Marlboro Greens? (Yep. That's the plan. Literally.)

Ok, old people driving-- my 94 year old great grandpa still drives and it scares the crap out of me. He's been in four minor (thank god) accidents in the last year and a half and he has a court date in a couple months, so hopefully they'll suspend his license. It's not so much about the age necessarily. It's about abilities.

Prisoners-- Ok, I don't know about the UK, but we don't have Xbox's in prison here..... That's ridiculous. First of all, let's make the distinction between jail and prison-- jail is generally less than a year, county crimes. Prison is usually over a year, felonies. Now, county jail is... not too bad. yes they have television, phones, more free time, etc. But they're not sitting in there playing Modern Warfare. Come on..... Super Max is truly no joke, thanks Joy. How many prisoners do YOU know who say that it's better in than out, except for the ones with mental problems??

The rehabilitation of criminals is our responsibility as a society, and as better people than they are. We expect them to not commit crimes. When they are released with no money, no ride home in some case, of COURSE they're going to go back to their previous lifestyle! I believe that halfway houses should be made a mandatory part of the sentence. Prison, hh, then parole. Period. These people need a way to legitimately make money or they're automatically going to HAVE to go back to the same lifestyle.

Why shouldn't they have an education? They do pay, in a way-- they usually have to perform some other sort of service, an extra job so that they can attend their classes. An education is the only way they have to better themselves, and you want to take it away from them??

How can we expect criminals to mend their ways when we treat them like horseshit as soon as we find out about their past? How can we expect them to change when we don't hire them for the only decent jobs available? How can we expect them to change when we do NOTHING for them?? It is our responsibility to them not because we owe criminals anything, but because they owe us something and our help is the only way they will be able to repay us. It is our responsibility because we are better people than they are. That's the whole point.

I also agree that there should be programs for the children of convicted criminals to try to deter them from committing crimes as well.

JL - posted on 01/29/2010

It depends upon the crime. Most dangerous sick criminals who cannot be rehabilitated end up in Super Max prisons. I did a college paper on Super Max prisons. Those prisons are no joke. They are built and set up to isolate the inmates from the world and human contact. Prisoners are kept in a single isolated cell the whole time with little slits that barely provide light. The guards in most of these prisons basically keep contact with them via security monitors and speaker systems. They rarely have direct human contact with the guards. They get an hour of gym and outdoor time which is also isolated. It is basically set up to mentally screw with people and lock them away as if they never existed and for the dangerous sickos I agree with that form of imprisonment but for the 18 year old sent to prison for having pot or the guy who got 5 years for stealing a few $5.00 VHS because of three strikes laws or the man like my uncle who shot a killed a pedophile who touched his daughter.

I do think those criminals should have access to an education, to family, to televisons and decent food because they WILL be back in the world. They do in most prisons I know of work off the cost by cleaning the highways and such. If we don't want to turn them into full time professional criminals who are fucked up mentally from their stay in prison and if we do not want to continue the circle of poverty and crime and if we want these people to get their crap together so they can be there for the children on the outside waiting for them then WE cannot treat them like peices of garbage. It is unbecoming of us and does not say much about humanity or our moral compass.

A criminal record should not prevent a rehabiliated person from getting a job, how the hell do you keep them from not turning to crime if you make impossible for them to work.

Amie - posted on 01/29/2010

On the topic of driving. Jesus Christ! There should be laws the world over the same standards to be able to get your license! Not only that but the age to get your license needs to be increased to at least 18, here it's 16 right now. Teenagers are fucking scary and don't generally learn their lessons easily. Not only that but older people 50+ should have to get their eyes tested each year before they can renew (with proof of that exam), then at 60+ have to take the exam again, if they pass they can wait 2 years before doing it again, if they fail they have to retake it each year.

I say this because there are some scary drivers out there! Especially people with entitlement issues. I've watched a lil philipino immigrant almost run over a little boy at my kids SCHOOL because she doesn't know how to drive properly. I'm not joking, the boy had to run to get out of the way. All the parents were standing there screaming. Like wtf?!

I've almost been hit by teenagers numerous times because they DON'T know how to drive. Yes they've taken the written and driven exams. They still don't know what they're doing. Especially on our winter roads. Just yesterday I had a teenager almost T-bone me and the kids because he locked up his brakes. Moron. My sister rolled a truck this summer, she STILL drives like an idiot.

As for the elderly people, well that's kind of obvious. When your body starts failing, your eye sight, hearing, reflexes, etc. is going.. time to hand over the keys to someone else. Driving slow doesn't make up for this, slow drivers are just as dangerous.

Wanda - posted on 01/29/2010

okay, so I see the point about the exercise equipment but I still don't get the education. Since when should criminal record = free education? You want to educate them, sure, but make them pay for it (or work off the cost) like the rest of us. I don't know about anyone else but everywhere I've worked, they've done a background check. If you had a criminal record, you didn't get a job - it didn't matter what kind of education you had.

My uncle was in jail for several years and he had stuff in his cell (eg. game boy) that technically wasn't allowed and he wasn't the only one. He says that if the guards like you and you're willing to play the game (i.e. play the part of the ideal prisioner) then you can pretty much get/have whatever you want.

Theresa - posted on 01/29/2010

I agree, my cousin was in prison for a lot of bad things. Mostly minor offences like drug use and minor league robbery - as in shoplifting really. He's out now and he has a full time job as a handy man in a holiday park thanks to therapy he recieved inside. He also has a wife and is trying for a baby. I think because he was locked up young enough (I believe he was about 19 - now 26) I think the therapy really helped him on the straight and narrow.

My own dad was in prison for sexual abuse against me and my little sisters. I took him to trial and testified against him last year. I know the prison he went to does not have anyway near an xbox or telly - I went to visit him on his birthday and got the FYI of his cell, and his cell mate unfortunately. It is true though that they are in a seperate section of the prison, which I think is wrong. But I guess, really, these kinds of laws probably won't be changed. In his case the therapy never worked, in fact he refused to go and now I don't know where he is. He got 18 months but served 4 and is now in a half-way house somewhere. I don't know if he can be rehabilitated or not, I would like to think so, but am not willing to risk it for my kids sake so... no walking me down the aisle next year!

Good Day! - posted on 01/29/2010

Theresa, no you are not being a horrible person. I do believe (as stated in an earlier post) that certain types of criminals can't be rehabilitated, because of the nature of their crime. Some crimes go above and beyond knocking over a convience store because your low on cash. Pedophiles and rapists often times have mental issues and sick twisted minds. But I have seen people become rehabilitated and not fall back into a life of crime because they were given an alternative to the only lifestyle they knew. And I agree, harming a child in the way you described is absolutly unexcusable.

I don't know about the legal system in the UK but in the states (or at least the 4 prisons I have experience with) prisoners don't have those luxeries.

Sara - posted on 01/29/2010

No, I think at the very least men who rape children should have their balls cut off. But that's just me...

Theresa - posted on 01/29/2010

I'm not sure where you guys all live but I know in the UK there have been so many scandals about prisoners being allowed Xboxes and wide screen tellys in their cells. In fact there was one of those 'undercover' shows that had actual footage of inside a prison where there was televisions and games consoles everywhere. It's been debated over here a while now, and people are pretty pissed about it, 'scuse my language lol.

Certainly I feel the legal system in the UK needs to be looked at. For example in the case of Peter Connelly, the killer I feel recieved a pitiful sentence, only twelve years and this is after he raped a two year old girl also. The other people involved in the murder got even less prison time, one only getting 6 years (But out in two) and his mother getting something similar. I wish, wish wish wish, we could have the death penalty for people like this. You can talk all you want about rehabilitation for prisoners and I'm on board for people that commit crimes like Robbery - but beating a 17 month old child to death... how can there be rehabilitation for that? How can that person possibly change? And more to the point why are they being allowed to breathe the same air as me?

I'm sorry, I was actually very anti-death-sentence before I read about Peter Connelly, I followed the story up to trial and still find it hard and incredulous the sentences that were given out for it. I feel, strongly, that there are just some people who cannot be helped, that will be a danger once they are out, and these people should not be allowed to come out of prison. Human Rights are all well and good, but was he thinking about Peter's rights when he broke the little boys back and let his dogs savage him? I doubt that very much, so why should I care about his human rights?

Am I being a horrible person?

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

I have heard of people in the lil jails say it's nothing. But they're in there for 2 weeks to 3 months. There's no badass hardened crims in those jails lol prison though... I haven't ever heard of video game consoles being allowed... maybe some smuggled in a gameboy or a Nintendo DS... but never ever have I heard to xboxes being allowed.



TV, yes. They get TV. Weight training / lifting equipment, yes. They get gym equipment. Education, yes. They get education. All things that they recieve in prison. They don't get PPV movies on demand. They don't get top of the line gym equipment. And they don't get a Harvard PHD in prison.



Most entertainment is provided in prison is to keep inmates from killing each other and giving them something to occupy their minds so that they don't go bat shit crazy and kill each other (more so than they already do!) And by entertainment, I mean TV, magazines, books, gym equipment.



Gym equipment they also use because working out is a good stress release, a way to work off excess energy and stay physically fit. Which prisoners need considering they spend between 14-23 hours a day in a cramped lil cell. Saves for medical expenses.



And education...... well... we can help let them expand their minds, become better people and actually gain the knowledge, and resources they need so that when they get out they can be better than the average criminal...



I guess letting them stay criminals will make sure they screw up again and end up back in jail where we can give them stale bread and water while they kill each other off...? lol



Seriously though, if I ever go to prison, I am gonna demand a freakin xbox !!! lmao

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

This thread has many different things going on...

I agree Loureen. I spent a summer in Canada when I was 19. I was allowed to drink. I was even given the option of buying a drink on the plane ride back to the states. I think parents need to teach personal responsibility with alcohol rather than having it banned altogether.

Charlie - posted on 01/28/2010

Our legal drinking age is 18 , its working fine and it does go by the logic that if they are old enough to send to war then they are old enough to drink !

La - posted on 01/28/2010

I did a research paper in college about the benefits of weightlifting programs for male inmates in prisons. Not only does it keep prisoners healthier which keeps health care costs down for the prison, but it has been shown to reduce stress and anger levels which reduces prison violence and gives the prisoners a constructive way to use their time and energy...sorry I can't find my paper or I would cite sources. Exercise programs in general increase confidence and feelings of self worth and it can also give them a skill to expand on if they are released. When I was a personal trainer I worked with an ex-con who went to prison as an obese individual and transformed himself into a very fit person and a very good personal trainer. I don't think there is anything wrong with allowing prisoners to learn and develop potential job skills for release if they are truly interested in reforming themselves. Some of these people continue to end up in prison because they never learn how to become productive members of society so why not give them a purpose other than committing crimes? I'm all in favor of the prison dog programs also...where the inmates are screened for entry into the program then are assigned a shelter dog to rehabilitate and train for adoption in the community.

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

Me too Jo...LOL

I've seen a shirt from Angola (LA state Pen) "3 Hots and a Cot" I think its too funny. I have the one that says, "Angola, Ain't No Place to Be". These shirts were designed by inmates as a way to raise funds to give deceased inmates a proper burial.

Never have I heard a prisoner say they want to be in prison because of all the benefits they get. And I've met many prisoners and been inside at least four prisons. Its not a fun place to be. They are being punished.

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

Wow... if I ever go to prison... I hope I go to one that has an xbox... rofl

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

I'm sorry but prisoners do not have x-boxes or fancy gym equipment. I'm not sure where that misconception comes from. Yes, they have gyms (not "fancy" by any means) but wouldn't it be more cost effective to keep them healthy than pay for medications?



And I have met and know SEVERAL rehabilitated ex prisoners (and current prisoners) who are functioning members of society thanks to the education they recieved from VOLUNTEERS.



It wouldn't be cost effective to keep them locked up forever (unless the crime calls for it) so they are going to get out anyway. Wouldn't it be better for them to be educated and have a way to make a life for themselves as oppossed to going back into their old habits?

La - posted on 01/28/2010

Anyone have any thoughts on lowering the legal drinking age? I kind of feel that if you are old enough to get shot at for your country (18 for military) you should be able to have a beer.

Wanda - posted on 01/28/2010

Quoting Jessica:



So many things are in need of changing but my big pet peeve would definatly be our legal system...or lack there of...It drives me absolutly nuts that criminals are given good food, free gym pass so to speak and worse of all a chance at a better education in prison than people who work there asses off couldn't afford tution for. Also, when the worse of the worse cut deals and are passed as "rehibilitated" and given a new identity, and 2nd chance at life because they helped get someone else. I could go on for hours...just blows my mind that in our world the hard working, average people that keep this world running more then any politician, church , CEO fat cat, celebrity, etc are the ones who are getting the short end of the stick in everyway...but we sure pay our taxes so we have rights....right.....





I've got to agree with Jessica on this one. What's the point of going to prison if you've got it better on the inside than you do in the real world? Why do prisoners need cable TV, XBoxes, fancy gym equipment etc? I thought they were being punished for committing a crime - doesn't sound like punishment to me. And to top it off they get a free education!! That really cheeses me off. I would love to get a better education but I can't afford it, yet some scum bag is working on his masters and the tax payers are footing the bill. Something not right about that. And being "rehibilitated" is easily faked. There are way to many repeat offenders running around for me to believe that "rehibilitated" line.

Rosie - posted on 01/28/2010

my husbands grandmother runs a beauty shop out of her home. she has one old lady in particular that desperately needs her lisence taken away. one time she turned the wrong way on a four lane highway and continued to drive until the police stopped her (after hubbys grandpa called her in). and another time she was late for her appointment because she made a wrong turn-into a corn field. how can anybody think the entrance to a field is the intersection of a fourlane highway?! ggrrrrrr...

La - posted on 01/28/2010

I'm sorry your husband got so messed up from that lady. What made me think of it is that the woman a few doors down from me (I live in a townhouse) has almost hit us a couple times! She drives a crown vic and you can just look at her car and see that she hits things on a regular basis because there is always a new dent or scratch. She takes up 2 spots parking on a diagonal because she doesn't even care to straighten her car out when she parks. One day when my fiance was in his work truck driving home on a 2 lane road she was driving next to him and changed lanes right into him with out even looking or using any directionals...luckily he slammed his brakes in time that she didn't hit his truck. Another time she was on a major road near our home and made illegal turn on red into oncoming traffic almost causing an accident.

Charlie - posted on 01/28/2010

Not if there were similar laws to tobacco , its illegal to grow but legal to buy :)

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

Agreed on that one! My grandmother had her keys taken away after hitting a dog in her neighborhood. Thankfully it wasn't a child. Its just so hard to take away a loved one's independance but it has to be done sometimes.

I have a friend that was rear ended by an elderly lady and the lady just kept going. Another driver had seen the accident and witnessed the lady run two red lights, called the cops with her lisence plate number. The cops had to go to her house to get her to write up the accident with my friend. Then she drove off...after running two red lights, hitting a pregnant girl and not realizing that she had done any of it.

Rosie - posted on 01/28/2010

oh laura, i can't believe that i left out the old people driving restrictions!! this one is VERY CLOSE to my heart as well! 3 years ago my husband was hit head on by a 74 year old woman. she claimed to have passed out. she was in a ford excursion (i had to throw that in, how the hell can a 74 year old woman get into a ford excursion let alone be able to drive one?), and luckily he was in his pickup truck and not his motorcycle that day. he broke his right ankle BADLY, and broke his left hip. he was left unable to walk for 2 months, and unable to work for 6 months and then not full time for another 2-3 months after that. now he has arthritis in his ankle (i think the doctor that did his surgery f-ed up somehow) and when he's on it for extended periods of time and then goes and takes a break it stiffens up on him and he CANNOT walk without assistance. my husband was 24 the day of his accident (nice birthday present, huh?) and he has been given a life full of pain at such a young age. he cannot run, cannot ride a bike, can't jump, can't hardly play catch with our 3 boys (he stands there and if he misses the throw the boys have to go get it for him). to top it off, i got pregnant most likely the day before the accident and found out i was pregnant a week after he got out of the hospital. he was unable to help me with the other 2 kids since he couldn't walk, and i had to do everything by myself -EVERYTHING!

this woman had blood pressure issues, and knew about it and had even passed out before, and still continued to drive her monster SUV deathtrap around. i think people over 65 should take a driving test every year and if they have any medical issue that could interfere with driving they shouldn't be allowed to drive. sorry about my rant (i'm shaking just thinking about it)!

Dana - posted on 01/28/2010

Let's keep it nice ladies.

Isobel - posted on 01/28/2010

you'll NEVER be able to tax marijuana...(well maybe in the late winter, when everybody's supply has run out) the minute it's legalized, EVERYBODY will have a plant or two in their back yard...

Charlie - posted on 01/28/2010

Legalize marijuana and tax the crap outta it .

harsher sentences for pedophiles , rapists , and murders , they seem to get away with lighter sentences than they deserve .

Tougher laws on child repeat offenders and their parents .

Tougher laws on child abuse .

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

Jessica, why don't you elaborate on what you saw that "was not cool" and what you think the "better ways" are? That may help this debate along in the right direction.

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

"To each their own opinion" is a patronizing comment in a debating group.

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2010

I was simply agreeing to disagree with you and let it be, and your comment came across patronizing not funny. I'm sorry if it was meant to be.

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

Take a joke? Lighten up? You made an obvious statement, so I joked.



There's no need to be uptight just because I was elaborating on the topic that was in contradiction to your opinion. That's kind of the whole point of these discussions... to continue them going... you stated what you meant, I disagree'd, you elaborated, then I elaborated, and then you were actually pretty rude stating something as obvious as 'to each their own opinion' instead of continuing the topic...



Yeesh. Some people... everything is a freakin argument - lame.

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2010

Theres no need to be rude just because I have a different opinion then you.

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

I'm sorry, I hadn't realized Captain Obvious was here.
I didn't recognize you without your hat and cape :P

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2010

To each there own opinion

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

Even the "worst of the worst" can better themselves -- take the #1 man that 'founded' the bloods and the crips for example -- he was put in prison for murder and he turned around using his experience in order to teach kids about gangs... he was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

One of the top 3 Aryan leaders turned himself around - he will admit he has to do what he has to do - but even after decades of being a hardened murderer - he's still trying to better himself.

I think it's necessary to have the means available to all people who 'chose a bad path'. Obviously there are quite a few lost causes, people who genuinely do not want to better themselves - but there are still many who DO want to better themselves. And even if the programs, resources only help a small percentage of inmates - and a large percentage don't take advantage of the programs - they're still there for the people who want to do better.

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2010

Oh goodness. No, I was not implying that they should not eat, thats kind of a silly thought. I just mean that alot of the bad guys ( not all ) but the full on hardcore criminals get a hell of alot better treatment in prison then the average person on a day to day who is trying to do everything right and jump through the right hoops. I'm a cops kid, my Dad was a Detective in organized crime unit and some of things that Ive heard and seen are just not cool. I don't believe we should stoop to level that are inhumane but I think that there are better ways.. And bare in mind I'm talking about the worst of the worst, not somebody who was down on his/her luck and stole a car and got busted etc.

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

Thanks Jo, You said it better that me. =) I was getting fired up and thinking and typing too fast.

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

I think that we need programs available for prisoners, and for families of prisoners, so that they are given every means possible to better themselves -- BECAUSE -- the majority of people who are in prison don't even realize that there are means available to them in society. They are born into poverty and feel trapped and the cycle continues. No it's not an excuse for people to be criminals, but it's after the fact. These people are in prison already, why not allow them the means to be educated?



I see nothing wrong with giving prisoners a chance to be better than a criminal.



I do think that we need to work on making sure those same options are readily available for people who are not in prison, but are struggling in everyday life to make ends meet and better themselves. But I don't see how removing those programs from prisons will do anything to help the situation, I believe it would only serve to make things worse.

Good Day! - posted on 01/28/2010

Question for Jessica: Are you saying prisoners shouldn't be given food? I agree that there are many problems with our legal system and much money is wasted, but I believe that falls under cruel and unusual punishment. And while on that subject, my husband is a nurse in a prison and my dad has done volunteer work in a prison for years. The prisoners are not treated well...the cafeteria runs out of food often. They are put on a waiting list to be seen by a doctor and often times will wait for weeks, even in the event of an emergency. I do believe that certain types of criminals (pedophiles, rapists do not fall into this category) can be rehabilitated so why shouldn't they be given help and skills that will make them functional citizens upon release? And when they are released it is done at midnight and if family is not there, they are given a ride to the bus station and let go with just the clothes on their backs. Wouldn't be better to give them a little help so they can have a slight head start so as to not fall into the same pattern of behavior? And while I'm on it, I think there should be help for children of prisoners who are seven times more likely to become incarcerated themselves. Often people are born into a cycle of poverty and drug use and don't know any other way of life. Why not give them a little help so they can break out of that cycle and make a better life for themselves.

Okay, officially stepping off the soap box.

?? - posted on 01/28/2010

Sara Butler
Oh, and make penalities harsher and actually enforce them when Dad's don't pay their child support!

La - posted on 01/28/2010

I think that once people reach a certain age they should be required to get doctor's clearance to continue to renew their drivers license. There are some elderly folks on the road that have NO BUSINESS driving. If their eyesight or reflexes deteriorate to the point where they can't safely maneuver a vehicle then they are a danger.

La - posted on 01/28/2010

I wouldn't mind if they raised the speed limits on major roads about 5-20mph from what they are currently :)

Michelle - posted on 01/28/2010

Ok you guys all had great ideas and I wanted to throw in another--
The death penalty. Pedophiles should have that as a possible sentence. This sentence (all sentences actually) should have more strict guidelines as to how they are used. How is it right that one man gets put on death row for murdering four people during a robbery when two states over another man gets 4 consecutive 20 yr sentences? It's not. (a) the life sentence should be revoked and just changed to the death penalty if we're going to have it at all so that the tax payers aren't spending BILLIONS of dollars on supporting a mass murderer or rapist for the next 70 years. The highly biased case-by-case correctional classification system should be abandoned except for looking at that individuals criminal record. (b) If we're going to have the death penalty it should be brought about much quicker. The appeal process is taken in front of a discretionary court of appeals anyway, so why spend billions of dollars for 20 years of appeals and prison when they're going to be executed anyway? (c) the lethal injection should contain more of the anesthesia to make it painless. There is no reason for good, law abiding citizens who are better people than the criminals to be reduced to a criminal level just to have retribution. We're above that.

I totally agree that marijuana is a COMPLETE waste of law enforcement budgets. Come on now. Just legalize it and I bet the world would be a much less stressful place lol.

Rosie - posted on 01/28/2010

aahh yes, the child support one is good sarah! my ex didn't pay a dime of chld support and all they did was take his license away. 9 years of not paying child support! i've heard some people say well, if they put him in jail you're never gonna get child support cause he'll be in jail. he would never pay me child support anyway so why not put him in jail. i do admit i got child support for 2 months he actually got a job that didn't pay him under the table! and then when he realized that his money was being taken out of his checks he quit immediately. i would constantly get letters from the state of iowa asking me if i knew where he was, and where they could find him. he tries to keep himself off the radar as much as possible so he wouldn't have to pay child support. i even know a man who had a son with my friends sister, supported him for years and then he knocked someone else up and didn't want to pay child support for that kid, so he quit his job, and started working under the table to avoid paying support for this second kid. his first child suffered, and was old enough to realize that his dad wasn't helping anymore and this man didn't seem to care. ridiculous, throw their butts in jail!

Sara - posted on 01/28/2010

Oh, and make penalities harsher and actually enforce them when Dad's don't pay their child support!