The cruelty of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 is
stark indeed, as are the sentencing guidelines that
impose mandatory minimum sentences for minor drug
possession—guidelines in the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act
that sailed through Congress without benefit of public
hearings, drafted before an election by Democrats afraid
to be labeled "soft on drugs." As a result, a marijuana
grower can land in prison for life without parole while
a murderer might be in for eight years. No rational
person can defend this; it is a Dostoevskian nightmare
and it exists only because politicians fled in the face
of danger. That includes Bill Clinton, under whose
administration the prosecution of Americans for
marijuana went up hugely, so that now there are more
folks in prison for marijuana than for violent crimes.
More than for manslaughter or rape. This only makes
sense in the fantasy world of Washington, where
perception counts for more than reality. To an old
Democrat, who takes a ground view of politics—What is
the actual effect of this action on the lives of real
people?—it is a foul tragedy that makes you feel guilty
about enjoying your freedom.
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In These Times Note: Keillor calls the war on drugs a "religious war". And relgious
wars, of course, have no place in a society of religious freedom.
The war on Gay Rights also is nothing but a religious war. So why
does MoveOn poll its members to decide whether to get involved in
opposing the Texas constitutional amendment? The cowardice of the
Democratic Left continues.–gm
MoPress 