Double-Standards

In a country that supposedly prides itself on liberty and justice for all, there are arguably a few flaws in the modern execution of the promise made by our forefathers. Seemingly, everyone’s rights have been recognized and legally sanctified. For instance, women have the right to choose, gay people can legalize their relationship; however, a person who suffers from psychiatric issues and/or addiction, and may commit a burglary to support his/her habit, or obtains illicit drugs to self-medicate depression, anger or feelings of inadequacy may have to face a life in prison. Is that justice? And because of extenuating circumstances, as in crimes that are committed because of bio-chemical imbalances, or having suffered a lifetime of abuse, or any of the other plethora of maladies that may lead to criminal behavior, above and beyond character defects and/or an evil soul isn’t morally or ethically right.

So my contention is this: THE 3 STRIKES LAW ISN’T FAIR.

And frequently, we speak of justice. And apparently, the definition of justice isn’t static or seemingly objective. Is it just to kill Iraqi civilians? Is it just to facilitate a civil war in order to impose our idea of democracy on a country with different political or social mores that date back hundreds or even thousands of years?

We have to acknowledge that what we supposedly abhor elsewhere is burgeoning here with little media interest or coverage. We have denied for years that a class system exists in this country, and because of certain political views that took hold in the 80s, a subtle and tacit war on the poor began. And the current administration has expressly continued these policies without any shame.

The poor are oppressed, and are the victims of those in Washington, DC, that openly disdain the poor, and any and all social programs to protect those less fortunate for a variety of reasons. There is an ugly double-standard emerging. Poverty isn’t discerning or discriminating and the poor regardless of ethnicity are suffering equally. Whites, Blacks, Asians, Latinos etc. are all affected.

I recently read an article about a Sacramento Police Officer received only a 5 year sentence for DUI and killing Michael Ramirez. However, another man received a sentence of not less than 15 years – Life for almost the exact same offense. However, his victim was a White Police Officer. I, for one, am weary of this unheralded war. Double-standards have to go!

Edited and posted by Julie Swartzendruber