That term "lenient judges" has always struck me as odd. It is one of those expressions like "liberal media" that has found it's way into the language by constant repetition, and now it just rolls off people's tongues and is heard without question.

Here in California, for example, we have about 170,000 convicts in our prisons, as well as an even larger number in county jails, juvenile halls, the Youth Authority, military brigs and stockades, and state mental hospitals. On an average day in California, anywhere from a third of a million to half a million people are locked up. And who do people think put them there? Lenient judges, apparently.

As a side note, the sentencing laws, particularly the three strikes law, which provides a sentence of 25 years to life for the third felony, even if it's a non-violent property felony, are filling our prisons with geriatric cases. You should be aware that in California, (the left coast as it is sometimes known), a sentence of 15 to life, or 25 to life really means life without parole, because governors of both parties over the years have appointed parole boards who don't believe in parole. Even though theoretically a prisoner is eligible for parole after serving 25 years, that doesn't mean he's going to get it. In fact, parole for such people is practically unheard of.

Octegenarians with walkers are hobbling around the yards of some of our prisons, and Alzheimer's patients are beginning to fill up prison infirmaries. As the results of California's "liberal" sentencing laws continue to take effect, we will see this more and more. The cost to taxpayers is staggering. Swartzenegger is trying desperately to balance the state budget, and has proposed a plan to let 22,000 convicts out before their terms expire, and to lay off 6,000 correctional officers because the cost has become so crushing; but we don't know yet, whether his plan will even fly through the legislature, because everybody is afraid to appear soft on crime. Likely even Arnold doesn't want to let the convicts out; it is suspected that he is just using the threat of it as political cover to propose a tax increase.

"The Land of the Free". Is this a great country, or what?

It's often been said that drugs, prostitution and gambling should be removed from criminal codes. They're illnesses, perhaps, but not crimes.

I'd love to know the percentage of police/security agency time spent in these three areas. Imagine if those resources were channeled against white collar (corporate) crime, where real destruction of lives and families is an overwhelming reality.

And these 5 million felons or so can't vote. I don't know this but I presume that's a "Made in the USA" rule that doesn't apply anywhere else in the Western world.

Land of the free, indeed.

In USA, most prisoners are repeat offenders. They WANT to go to jail. There are sorts of cool rights, and protections, friends, compadres, free food, medical, shelter, clothing.

And you do not have to worry that a prison record is destructive to your future. If you become a failure on the outside, you can always go home to your prison community, and get your free room and board, and a host of other amenities. you work on your physique, education...etc.

In USA, living in prison is like living in an imaginary other planet. when the crack damage begins to repair itself, you earn parole and burn out your brain again, and go back for more imaginary life. There are the do's and don'ts...such as "what are you in for?" ...things NOT to do time for: statutory rape).

In other countries, being so self destructive towards your future, is frowned upon, by peers and elders alike.