Victimless Crime Constitutes 86% Of Federal Prison Population

[S.Shorland]

http://www.libertariannews.org/2011/...on-population/

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

Pretty good article.

[BlackTerrel]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting. I'll be forwarding this along.

[LibertyEagle]

Consider how much richer American society would be today if it had an additional 5% of the male population working to produce goods and services in the private sector labor force.

In general, I agree with the article, however, I don't think it is logical to assume that the above would be producing goods/services if they were out. It seems more logical to say that a percentage of them would be on welfare, unemployment, etc., just like the rest of society.

[TheTexan]

In general, I agree with the article, however, I don't think it is logical to assume that the above would be producing goods/services if they were out. It seems more logical to say that a percentage of them would be on welfare, unemployment, etc., just like the rest of society.

They'd be on welfare because they spent the last 5-10 years in prison and don't have any marketable skills. Plus they have a record. The poor population generally has a revolving door in the prison system... which does has a tendency to worsen one's already poor career prospects.

In the short run you're right most of them would be on welfare. But not in the long run.

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

Consider how much richer American society would be today if it had an additional 5% of the male population working to produce goods and services in the private sector labor force.

In general, I agree with the article, however, I don't think it is logical to assume that the above would be producing goods/services if they were out. It seems more logical to say that a percentage of them would be on welfare, unemployment, etc., just like the rest of society.

I also find arguments like that to be insulting, anyway. It's just like the "lost productivity due to sick days" argument, and complaints that people call in sick when they could have been at work. Nobody owes "society" "productivity." If someone wants to lie on the beach their entire life eating fruit from trees, good for them. If they want to work two day weeks and go swimming the rest of the week, that is between them and their employer and they owe "society" nothing.

[cheapseats]

STORM THE BASTILLE!

No! Don't!

Do you have any idea how much GDP traces to LIFE BEHIND BARS shows?

Think of the Interviewers and Crews . . . AND their children!

Are you kiddin' ME? LIFE BEHIND BARS cheap-cheap-cheap Reality TV is JUST the kind of cherry-on-top moneymaking that the Power Mongers and Control Freaks of PROSECUTION & INCARCERATION INCORPORATED really savor.

Makin' money, literally, hand over fist.

Envision the dastardly cartoon character rubbing his greedy hands together, after twirling his sinister mustache.

Since we are obviously helpless to stop them from doing what they do, probably the best thing we CAN do is to make as much money as possible off the Injustice while we work within the Broken System, RIGHT?

[Kluge]

In general, I agree with the article, however, I don't think it is logical to assume that the above would be producing goods/services if they were out. It seems more logical to say that a percentage of them would be on welfare, unemployment, etc., just like the rest of society.

I wonder which is cheaper...I suspect welfare would be, but have nothing solid to back that notion up with.

[awake]

If they were not prosecuted for victimless crimes and there were no welfare programs to get, they would have to accept life as it is, not as they wish it to be [life without work]. One big reality check. There would be a great incentive to become productive as it would be the path of least resistance. Prison itself is a welfare program. Housed, fed and parented by state thugs all on the tax payers dollar... to some it is a deal - complete security in exchange for all their liberty.