Poet Natalie Patterson wants us to vote for hope, and not in a cheap, unconscious way. She wants the government to put our tax dollars where our values are and stop throwing away money and lives on an unforgiving criminal justice system.
Nearly half of federal prisoners have been locked up for drug charges (see chart below). With so much law enforcement focused on petty drug busts, more seriously fucked up crimes such as rape and murder are going unsolved.
It seems that it might be a better idea to have police focus on the more serious crimes. And wouldn’t we get a lot more for our tax money by investing in ways to stop crime before it happens?
U.S. Federal Prison Population by Offense Category
Note: Data is limited by the availability of offense-specific information.
Proposition 47 would be a great first step toward fixing our ironically termed “correctional” system, starting with California. And while it’s only up for a vote in California, its passage could be the start of a nationwide shift in a better direction.
Natalie isn’t the only one who supports the proposition. The plan has support from millions of California residents, including judges, cops, teachers, parents, students, faith leaders, business owners, and folks from all other walks of life.
Even California’s most–read newspapers want 47 to succeed.
So if you’re a California voter and you agree with Natalie, please go to the polls on Nov. 4 and vote YES on Proposition 47.
If you’re not a California voter, please help to spread the word, because…
