re: #550 reine.de.tout

Some of us are conservative not because we are suspicious of the government, but because we’re concerned about where the “balance” is between how much we’re taxed and how many services will be provided.

I’ve always supported the provision of various sorts of services - but I suspect the line that I would call “balanced” for that sort of thing is much lower than the line you, perhaps, would feel provides the best balance.

As to public safety issues - I see that as one of the first priorities of any government. Good arguments can be made that laws are too harsh or not harsh enough - but public safety issues should always be up near the top in importance. If we’re not safe enough to get to work, how are we gonna earn taxable income to provide the other stuff?

I’m all for safety! I’m not all for power being more in the hands of prosecutors and arbitrary three-strikes laws than in the hands of judges. I tend to like a human hand in this stuff.

it’s just a talking point I see over and over again in the narrative: suspicious of the government, except when it comes to the power of prosecutors and law enforcement.

i think a lot of the issues in our criminal justice system would be solved if prosecutors were less political. Look how many prosecutors ride on a wave of convictions, to a career in politics. it’s a massive conflict of interest.