New U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Crack Penalties: A Campaign Issue?
| Mon Dec. 10, 2007 10:03 AM PST
Call it a trend. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court gave judges the OK to issue more lenient sentences to drug dealers than those mandated in the official federal sentencing guidelines. Last month, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted to reduce the disparity in prison sentences given for possession of crack versus powder cocaine, a problem that has had a disproportionate impact on African-American defendants. Tomorrow, the commission will vote on whether that change ought to apply retroactively. If it says yes, nearly 20,000 prison inmates stand to have their sentences reduced.
All of this is good news for the small-time drug addicts who've been given excessive prison sentences for piddly little drug offenses. It's bad news, though, for Democrats, as it's about to turn crime into a major campaign issue, and it's not their strong suit. No surprise, then, that the biggest opponents of retroactively reducing drug sentences, according to the Sentencing Law and Policy blog, are the Bush Justice Department, Republicans on the House judiciary committee, and Sen. Hillary Clinton. Yes, Hillary has thrown her lot in with the law and order types in the GOP, largely on the advice, apparently, of her pollster Mark Penn. Penn told The Politico last week that former prosecutor Rudy Giuliani was already using the change in sentencing to bash the other Democratic candidates, all of whom support retroactivity.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments
{Certainly they oppose this as all those released will vote Democratic!!!}
What makes you say that?
If the stupid, failed drug war is a major issue with people, they're most likely Greens, Libertarians or Ron Paul supporters, as they've all been openly opposed to the drug war for years.
Dems ought to price out the dolllar cost of warehousing crack dealers/users versus the cost of helping them straighten out their lives and becoming productive people and tax payers. We should ask Rudy: how long do you think we'll need to keep a kid in jail before he decides to go straight, and at what cost?
Just because they are released from prison, doesn't mean they will have the right to vote! They will still have to pay to have their rights restored..in case you forgot, felons can't vote. They're not giving them amnesty, they're just reducing their ridiculous sentences. And yes, as long as there is prohibition, there will be drug dealers (which is where the violence surrounding drugs comes from). But common sense has never been a strong suit with the gov't. Personally, I can't believe we're releasing crack delears before all the people doing ridiculous-length sentences from mere possession of marijuana, a drug that has NEVER killed one single person..at least not from using the drug...Now, Mr. Piggie may have blown away a few herb lovers, though...
>>>>felons can't vote.< Quote....huh, NO THAT'S not true. Not in my state anyway. WHen you do your time you pay for your crime and you're once again a responsible citizens. Sorry skizoid, there WILL be more democrats to vote, seeing as how the Republicans are the ones making money off their precious prisons. Big business for little towns, BIG injustice to the little people when rich men go free from the same charge because they can buy a judge. Uh-huh. IT's got to stop. As well as legalizing marijuana. Contrary to the propaganda marijuana users are some of the most dependable and smartest workers in the world. This would be an excellent subject for the Democrats to run on, loyalty to the working men and women of America. You will appreciate us more when the war with mexico starts.
replica watches
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon Nov. 23, 2009 12:38 AM PST.
replica watches Discount Watches, Fashion Watches, Wristwatch, Fake Watch, Wholesale Watches, Jewelry Watches, Replica Jewelry Watches. It may be Replica Swiss Watches hard Bedat & CO Wristwatch to find a Rolex replica watches replica watch Swiss Army Watch that fits your needs. Replica TAG Heuer Franck Muller Replica Watch If Replica Omega Watch that is the Richard Mille Wristwatch case, be Jacob & Co. Replica Watches Raymond Weil Fake Watches sure Cartier Wristwatch to Breitling Fake Watch look Patek Philippe Mens Watches around until Oris Replica you find Ebel Watch Replica one that is Fake Chopard within your budget yet Hublot Ladies Watches still looks exactly like you Replica Corum want it. Replica Concord Watch A fake rolex is hard to distinguish from the Replica Roger Dubuis real thing. Also, try to buy it from a Mont Blanc Replica Watches reputable source. Michele Mens Watches Also, Longines Ladies Watches be sure Louis Vuitton Watches Replica to check Breguet Watches Replica the prices. If the price of Rolex Zenith Fake Watch replica watch looks too Porsche Design Replica good Technomarine Watch to be Seiko Replica Watch true, it probably Fake A Lange & Sohne Watch is. Most Fake Rado replica Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Rolex Replica Vacheron Constantin Parmigiani Fake Watches watches Tissot Ladies Watches should Panerai Replica Watches be priced Blancpain Watch Replica at somewhere Fake Audemars Piguet around 200 U.S. dollars. IWC Wristwatch While there Ulysse Nardin Mens Watches is no doubt everybody would choose Maurice Lacroix Replica Rolex Watch Replica a real replica watches Chanel Watch Replica Rolex watch over a replica, Replica Girard Perregaux a replica Movado Ladies Watches Rolex watch offers a solution for Replica Bulgari Watch people who want Glashutte Replica Watches to have Baume & Mercier Fake Watch a Emporio Armani Watches nice watch without destroying their budget.
Post new comment
MoJo Comments: Send Us Your Feedback
We changed our spam software to better filter comments. Should you encounter any issues, please let us know.
