Not testy. I understood your question, but I obviously limited that statement to the issue of criminal justice reform, so the response was to point you back in the direction of what I said.
My morning freed up a bit, after all, so I’ll get to take lunch:
Booker’s stated policy is to reduce incarceration rates by lowering sentencing guidelines for nonviolent drug offenses, offering clemency to those serving long sentences for nonviolent drug crimes, and legalizing marijuana (hopefully with other definitional reforms, although nobody has talked about that, and I won’t let best stand in the way of better). He wants to address recidivism by removing barriers to employment and expunging records for decriminalized offenses. Generally he is disparaging of the war on drugs. I support all of those things as they result in a net increase in Liberty.
He also wants to restore voting rights for former felons, which I support, even if it’s somewhat self-serving.
Booker proposes reinvesting in communities, which I do not support. It’s nebulous, it feeds corruption, the money doesn’t get to where it needs to be, and the government just cannot fix poverty or mandate social change. I’d prefer they just not spend it at all and give it back to the people in the form of lower taxes. Some of which would end up in those communities. Bennet proposed reinvesting in education, which I think is more plausible but would do less to effect the social change needed to reduce recidivism.
Some of them mentioned ending qualified immunity for police, which I think is a nuanced issue that is being tossed out too casually to score points, but a move towards heightened accountability for law enforcement would result in increased liberty for others. Unchecked abuses by law enforcement have lasting effects that go beyond the individuals involved. To some extent, decriminalizing marijuana and ending the war on drugs would address some of these issues, over time.
Booker probably has the best record on this particular issue. He sees these issues as significant to African American voters, who he sees as key to democrat electoral victory. So, it’s in his self-interest to follow through.
Presently, it’s an issue that has some bipartisan support, so the likelihood of any of it getting accomplished seems greater than invasive Dem policies, like gun control.
