Welcome to the United States of Crime, AKA Crime Nation. A place where the republicans have finally achieved their dream of a jobless economy. A nation where the really smart kids who figure it out drop out by twelve and become gang lords before they become adult offenders. A nation where getting on SSDI is your ticket to the new middle class.
Some blame the police, but the problem is we're still short a couple hundred of 'em. Some blame the judges, but one suspects the judges are looking to the jails... which are full. Except for Hennipen County's, where republican budget cuts have left half a brand new facility unstaffed and unused. And remember the "Clinton cops"? Well, don't expect any help from the current republican squatter in our White House, who is more concerned with securing Iraqi oil than our crime infested 'hoods. Meanwhile, meth is doing to rural America what crack did to core cities.
So with the legal economy disappearing, jail time rare even for felony offenses, and a nation on the verge of economic if not ethical bankruptcy... we are at the "tipping point". The point where the criminals take over and anarchy reigns. You can see it already in Minneapolis many 'hoods, where the value of a used car is determined by how much longer the license tabs are good for. And bicycles... we already have a sort of "community shared bike programs" here, 'cause most of the bikes are stolen so nobody locks them anyway. Note that a witness to last last nights murder in Hawthorne said the victim had traded a bike for something... that's code for he traded a stolen bike for drugs. And while lawful citizens would call the police or file in concilliation court over such a dispute, in our 'hoods where most everyone is wanted for something felonious disputes tend to be settled more crudely. And the threatened retaliatory arson in Whittier.... if the perp has paid attention at all during his previous confinements he'll set fire to an old car or some junk next to the house instead of the house. That ways it's 3rd degree gross misdemeanor arson instead of 1st degree. Could make the difference between probation and 4 years hard time...
That's what we're up against folks.
hanging on in Hawthorne,
Dyna Sluyter
REMINDERS:
1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
