Reply #55: Why does no one ever address that our economic system is [View All]

capitalist while the Western countries we are being compared to are mainly socialist? Even communist China incarcerates less people than America...

Yes, our prisons are for profit...as our food, water, shelter, clothing, education, etc. Given the minimum wage has remained below the living wage need to live with any kind of comfort or stability in this country, is it any wonder more of our citizens would turn to criminal activity to survive, be it theft, abuse of illegal narcotics, crimes of violence and/or aggression?

The topic of the high number of prisons and percentage of inmates should not detract from the fact that prisons are not erected for nothing, nor were the inmates currently residing in prison there for nothing. What should be addressed is why do so many American citizens resort to crime, why do so many become repeat offenders...judging from the white-collar offenses well within the public eye, is there an impression given to American citizens that crime really does pay? Judging from the workings of our highest levels of government, is there an impression given to American citizens that education, honesty, and hard work doesn't really get you far at all, but looking for suckers, the quick-fix and focusing on short-term gains will eventually make your way?

The penal system and its inmates are a concrete, black-and-white reflection of our social and cultural conditions and values...