Tough-on-crime stance has cost us dearly

Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 15, 2005

In regard to the March 30 article, “Tinned meat may get its own tax” and subsequent letter to the editor, it seems that no time is being wasted in generating resolutions to allow more taxes. More money is needed. Budget cuts are the theme of the day.

Yet, in areas where tax money might be saved, there is no real endeavor to accomplish it. Washington’s “tough on crime” stance is extremely “tough on us.” We are presently footing enourmous bills to incarcerate many non-violent offenders for their entire lives without any possibility of parole. Instead of building more prisons, why aren’t we building more schools? Instead of renting bed space in other states, why aren’t we reviewing the cases of those who are not a threat to society and sending them home?

Washington’s “three-strikes” law is a costly proposition for us taxpayers. Statistics prove that it is not a deterrent to crime. How many people can we afford to incarcerate without continued tax increases?

Jesse White

Marysville