Dear Belly,

The percentage of people who agree with a position has little to do with whether it is right or not.

This is the argument you repeat over and over. Rather than state a case you write: "How many would agree with legalizing drugs? very few in my view."

I am quite aware that it is a minority view. If it were a majority view and it was not the right thing to do it would still not be the right thing to do.

Polls at this moment appear to show that most people would prefer the Coalition in power which would mean Abbott as prime minister. Since you go by what most people want why don't you want the Coalition in power?

To paraphrase your words. "How many would agree with keeping a Labor government? very few in my view."

I am one of the few. I want to keep a Labor government and to legalise drugs.

fatherless boys and men make up the vast majority of the prison system. Pouring more money into useless rehabilitation programs of which their has been hundreds is a complete waste. The issue won't improve because we are to idiotic to ask the right questions. The increase in crime and prison population is simply as a result of the breakdown of the natural family unit. Anyone interested in fact knows that but pc will not allow the issue to be addressed. To many feminist would lose their Government paid jobs.

I wish against my principles that that those who are against punishing criminals would be targeted just to get their eyes opened & their minds broadened.
These people are an insult to those of us who have experienced crime on a very personal level.
When you lose thousands of Dollars worth of belongings, had some low life going through your drawers, taking mementos from your family, stole & wrecked your car etc. & then some do-gooder morons want these crapheads treated & mollycoddled ? Come on ! you're no better than the crapheads.

Hi SWLiddle & welcome to the forum.

I'm afraid I could not disagree with you more. I think it is obvious that the increase in prison population is a product of too much leaning toward the carrot, & not enough stick. This approach has led criminals to expect very minor punishment for their crimes, hence an escalation in their criminal activity has forced increased incarceration, as a last resort.

It is totally ridiculous that 67 break & enters by a local young criminal could be treated as a first offence for sentencing purposes, but this is what we see. A much earlier application of a heavy penalty in these cases would have more effect than bleeding all over them in some wrist tapping effort. That he was after money to service a drug habit should bring a heavier sentence.

Prison should be such a nasty experience that no one in their right mind would indulge in behavior that would result in a return.

As for druggies, the book should be thrown at them at the first instance, & long sentences to work gangs in national parks, with real hard labour would give much better results in every way.

I have long said that prison is a place for criminal only and, should be something in the order of a hole in the ground, the worse the crime, the deeper the hole.

I provided meat for a prison when had one of my butcher shops.

What amazed me was the white board, and the fact that there were so many special requirements for certain inmates.

No dairy, gluten free, no seafood etc, I thought, what a joke, it's a prison for christs sake.

Then I looked at some of the inmates, as the worst offenders worked in the kitchen, I even got to know a few on a semi personal level.

I came to the conclusion that some looked very nasty, while others most likely got pissed and did something stupid. It was quite a shock to learn just how many were there as an indirect result of separation and child support that comes from it.

On tuesday last I spoke with some young indigenous boys & asked them why the keep on breaking the Law when they know they can end up in jail. Their unanimous answer was & with undeniable glee in their expression "Yeah we'll get sent to Lotus Glen". Lotus Glen is the jail in the Atherton tablelands. These boys told me that it is an honour to be able to proof that you have been to Lotus Glen. They told me that you get everything from good food, to exercise, to education & money when you leave. The only thing missing is punishment.
Now go figure why the crime rate in indigenous communities is on the rise.