Is the GOP the "Party of Law and Order"? - Nope

[Prometheus]

They're the Party of Punishment... and they seem to like punishing POC most of all.

The states with the highest incarceration rates are "red states."

The states with the highest incarceration rates of POC are "red states." Don't get me wrong, other states incarcerate POC at higher rates than whites, but red states take it to a new level.

Some people might be tempted to point out the statistics that show that POC, particularly black people, commit more crimes overall. This is true. However, then you have to take into account how many laws there are that specifically target POC and the sentencing disparities. Let's face facts, if a white guy gets caught holding a couple grams of weed, he'll probably get off with a couple years probation, maybe some community service, and have to go to some "drug counseling" program... or LESS. A black guy gets caught with the same amount of weed and he's locked up for 2 to 5 years. Even in places with mandatory minimum sentences, the white guy gets the minimum while the black guy gets the maximum.

And we have to look at the reasons why people commit crimes and one stands above the rest: poverty. Want to guess which states are the poorest in the US?

Yup. The red ones. And even with historically low unemployment rates, blacks and Hispanics are 2 to 4 times more likely to be unemployed. AAPI unemployment numbers run close to (and often lower than) those of white people, but I'm going to guess that those rates will go up now that they have decided to be vocal about the racism that they have to endure.

A stat that ties directly to poverty and incarceration is "level of educational attainment." Whether it be high school, college, or post graduate, red states have the lowest numbers and the numbers for POC are lower still.

States with highest levels of obesity which is tied to a slew of other health concerns? Red states.

I guess if what you want is to lock up as many people as possible you want to keep them fat, dumb, and poor.

It also explains why they seem to fight so steadfastly against educational reform, prison reform, law reform (legalization and decriminalization of marijuana in particular), and UHC.

Some people might want to argue that the Dems are also engaged in forms of indoctrination, etc., etc. and depending on the argument, I might be inclined to agree, but this conversation is about the GOP. Star your own thread.

/Monday Morning Rant

[abbey1227]

The good money to invest is in incarcerated healthcare.