Representative Karen Bass (D-Culver City) released another press release, this time applauding the Justice Department's decision to relax on prosecuting federal low-level drug offenses. Unlike her previous appeals to extend food stamps, to protect entitlements like Social Security and Medicare without a plan for shoring up the drastically diminishing funds, and despite her frequent inferences that racism is the plague which keeps American society sick, her pledges for bipartisanship on reducing drug-related sentences are refreshing and encouraging.
"Mr. Holder and the Obama administration should be commended for taking this bold step toward reform of draconian mandatory minimum sentences that have not kept Americans any safer, but instead have only contributed to making our criminal justice system even more bloated and inefficient.
Before commending this commendation, I must reinforce my vigorous displeasure with the Obama administration, and specifically Attorney General Eric Holder. No one should let up on holding Holder accountable for the felony-stupid gun running scheme Operation Fast and Furious, the criminal abuse of the IRS toward conservative political interest groups, and the disturbing revelations of Department of Justice officials who seized AP reporters' phone records. Just because he thinks that the United States Department of Justice should "Stay off the Grass" does not mean that the American People should get off his . . .you know what.
Nevertheless, I agree with Holder's decision to hold off on heavy prosecution of drug offenses. Anything that will curb the overcriminalization rampant in this country is a step in the right direction, no matter who initiates or authorizes the reforms. Drug laws are indeed draconian, but not just because of the stiff penalties imposed. They are essentially unfair and unworkable. Incarcerating individuals because of their addiction to a controlled substance is immoral and dysfunctional, an aberrant nanny-state trend which must be put to bed for good. Free market economist Milton Friedman decried the War on Drugs, as did Former Secretary of Education William Bennett, National Review Founder and Conservative Leader William F. Buckley, and even The 700 Club's Rev. Pat Robertson.
Congressman Maxine "Tea Party Go to Hell" Waters has demanded an end to the War on Drugs. Cooler heads are prevailing on this issue, too. Just before his retirement from politics, Former Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) called for a radical rethinking of the drug laws in this country, as well. Current Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach, CA) has admitted that most Republicans favor decriminalizing low-level drugs, but will not admit as much out loud for fear of jeopardizing their seats in Congress or their standing before the National Republican Party.
Indeed, there is plenty of bipartisan agreement on ending the War on Drugs, starting with the outrageous criminal penalties on users.
Congresswoman Bass continued:
"These laws result in unnecessary prison sentences for low-level, nonviolent offenders who, upon their release from prison, are oftentimes locked out of the opportunity to secure jobs and otherwise reintegrate into their communities after they have paid their debt to society."
A criminal record is an ongoing punishment for many when they leave prison. Reformers had intended for penitentiaries to guide men and women to rethink their values and emerge with a better grasp of their problems and solutions to solve them. Most prisoners leave prison with more skill and prowess at committing crimes than being committed to their communities and their families. The drug trade remains seductive because of its lucrative potential, especially for minority youth who cannot succeed in failing public schools, which impose on them limited opportunities for legitimate advancement.
This only exacerbates a vicious cycle of poverty and incarceration while weakening many communities across America, especially communities of color which have been disproportionately impacted.
Gang-banging and drug-dealing have degraded communities throughout Los Angeles, and now infiltrate wealthier communities in Los Angeles County. I cannot relate how many times I have heard youth dishing on the drugs they were using, and even on their high school campuses, yet no one prosecuted them.
I do agree that drug laws have harmed communities of color (if such a locution maintains any relevance). Bass' insistence on bringing into consideration the melanin count of a person's integumentary system proves that she advocates the proper reforms, but for the wrong reasons. It's never about color, but culture and class, Rep. Bass!
"I’m hopeful the announcement will spur Congress into being a willing partner with the administration for passing even bolder reforms, such as those called for in the bipartisan 'Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013,' which would provide judges broader flexibility in tailoring prison sentences and help to reduce the overcrowded prison population."
This country needs this kind of bipartisanship. Not two sides splitting the difference on overspending this nation's underperforming tax revenue, but deciding which arenas of federal authority to scale back for the greater good. Bass should also agree to scaling back welfare for the poor, as Republicans have agreed to ending subsidies to corporations, including Big Pharma and Big Farmers. Still, Holder and Bass getting off (or high on) the grass is a welcome development, the step toward limited government in the United States.
