State of Minnesota secondary Archives: on Crime

Heather Johnson: Punishing victimless crimes hurts poor but profits prisons

A: We only recognize crimes of fraud, force, and coercion. Anyone who engages in these types of crimes must pay restitution to the victims whenever possible and may face stiff prison terms as well. Victimless crimes are based on perception, fuel for-profit prisons, and predominantly hurt poor and minority groups. People always act as they choose regardless of what laws exist. People already live their own morals in their everyday lives. The problems that arise in government and society stem from attempting to force others to live according to their own ideals and morals rather than the ones they are accustomed. Worse, individuals and groups insist that a tool for all of "we the people", be utilized to force personal need and ideology upon others. That very act creates discrimination and division in a government system meant to act as a limited tool in defense for the personal inherent right of all of "we the people".

Paul Gazelka: Shutting down the police is not the answer

Scott Jensen: Work with law enforcement, citizen soldiers for safety