Posted on 03/13/2015 12:48:14 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) argued for criminal justice reform at a historically black college in Maryland on Friday, in what has become a staple of his message to young voters and minorities ahead of a potential presidential run in 2016.
Paul, who has frequently nodded to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s idea that there are “two Americas,” said in his speech at Bowie State University there’s one America where citizens are free to pursue their lives freely, and one where the federal government piles on with unnecessary laws, burdensome fines and regulations, and overly strict sentencing guidelines that contribute to keeping minority groups mired in poverty.
“Those of us who have jobs and have lived fairly privileged lives don’t know what it’s like to pay fines and penalties on top of other fines and how someone’s life can spiral out of control because of this,” Paul said.
The Kentucky Republican argued that civil forfeiture and mandatory minimum sentencing laws must be reformed, and highlighted bipartisan bills he’s worked on to expunge the records of former criminals that would make it easier for them to find work.
Paul said the laws currently on the books have created a situation that is “somewhat like segregation.”
“There’s a racial outcome to this,” Paul said. “I don’t think it’s intentional, but it’s real, and we should do something about it.”
Paul pointed to two recent racially charged incidents that have provoked protests across the country as evidence of there’s "an undercurrent of unease.”
Ferguson, Mo., has been on edge since a white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager after an encounter on the street last year. The incident led to a Justice Department investigation that found widespread abuses within the criminal justice system there and ultimately led to the resignation of the police chief.
And in New York City, protests erupted after a grand jury declined to indict a police officer responsible for the choke-hold death of Eric Garner, who was suspected of selling loose cigarettes on the sidewalk.
Paul blamed politicians for creating laws that lead to police harassment, and unnecessary fines and arrests.
“What reason do we have for politicians telling the police they have to take someone down for selling a cigarette that’s not taxed,” he said. “There are other ways … I blame the politicians, they write these rules.”
Paul has been outspoken about the racial unease that he sees permeating the country, and he’s long been an advocate for scaling back drug laws and reforming the criminal justice system. The Kentucky Republican is a sponsor on a new bill that would legalize medical marijuana on the federal level for states that have legalized it.
Paul has also talked at length about expanding the GOP’s appeal to the next generation, and many believe his libertarian-leaning views on issues like drug policy and criminal sentencing reform could appeal to a younger set of voters.
Obamalaw next up on the agenda.
What an idiot....what a total colossally misguided over handled pandering smurf boy.
The Clinton, illegal aliens, IRS, banksters, and similar 'groups' get a free pass.
Not for, average Joe.
Could you change this to a news item? It appears on The Hill’s blog, but is really fairly significant news.
I thought Pander bears came from China.
CC
That's everywhere and affects everyone.
Paul is correct about Garner selling “loosie” cigarettes. What kind of nanny-state do we live in where Governments at the same time both rail against tobacco, but must protect it because they need the tax money?
In totalitarian states, everything is controlled and everything is potentially a crime.
Laws like those against everything from murder to traffic violations? Because blacks violate those at far higher rates than whites, I guess those laws are all racist too.
Paul is right about ending the WOD, eliminating asset seizures etc. But he should do so on constitutional grounds. He’s wrong to make it a race issue and to ignore higher crime rates for all kinds of crime by blacks.
So the policing issues in America are fixed, if loosy cigarettes become legal in NYC.
I don’t think so.
I don’t get it. Is Paul saying that the set of laws that apply to a black don’t apply to me because I’m white? Or the other way ‘round?
For the umpteenth time, but appropriate:
"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." -- Ayn Rand
Current criminal behavior creates a situation like self-segregation.
We seem to be headed for not holding blacks accountable to any laws. 0bama’s not.
Rand Paul: Time for GOP to soften war stance...by softening its edge on some volatile social issues and altering its image as the party always seemingly "eager to go to war... We do need to expand the party and grow the party and that does mean that we don't always all agree on every issue" ... the party needs to become more welcoming to individuals who disagree with basic Republican doctrine on emotional social issues such as gay marriage... "We're going to have to be a little hands off on some of these issues ... and get people into the party," Paul said.[Posted on 01/31/2013 5:08:50 PM PST by xzins]
Rand Paul's immigration speech...The Republican Party must embrace more legal immigration.[Posted on 03/19/2013 7:04:07 AM PDT by Perdogg]
Unfortunately, like many of the major debates in Washington, immigration has become a stalemate-where both sides are imprisoned by their own rhetoric or attachment to sacred cows that prevent the possibility of a balanced solution.
Immigration Reform will not occur until Conservative Republicans, like myself, become part of the solution. I am here today to begin that conversation.
Let's start that conversation by acknowledging we aren't going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.
If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you...
This is where prudence, compassion and thrift all point us toward the same goal: bringing these workers out of the shadows and into being taxpaying members of society.
Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers.12 million more people assimilating into society. 12 million more people being productive contributors.
Rand Paul calls on conservatives to embrace immigration reformLatinos, should be a natural constituency for the party, Paul argued, but "Republicans have pushed them away with harsh rhetoric over immigration." ...he would create a bipartisan panel to determine how many visas should be granted for workers already in the United States and those who might follow... [and the buried lead] "Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers...[Posted on 04/21/2013 1:52:42 PM PDT by SoConPubbie]
[but he's not in favor of amnesty, snicker, definition of is is]
Amen!
[singing] There were copper headed demagogues and big buffoons
Pandering, pandering all along the way...
Yes, we should do something about it. Up the police presence to reduce crime, use our welfare policies to promote fatherhood instead of discouraging it, and establish school choice — especially in poor areas. And encourage businesses to land there.
Jobs, families, education, and public safety will be the things that change the situation for minorities and the poor. So let’s go for that.
What reason do we have for politicians telling the police they have to take someone down for selling a cigarette that’s not taxed,” he said. “
That never happened. The police took the man down for resisting arrest, posibly disorderly conduct etc. The person took steps to make a minor issue escalate into a deadly situation.
Which is precisely the problem with the “let’s legalize pot so we can tax it” argument. Tax it enough to discourage use, and you get pothead versions of Eric Garner, selling loose, untaxed joints. Then we’re right back where we started.
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