Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Throw the Crooks in Jail?

L Randall Wray is one of my favorite thinkers.

At this link: Forget About Taxes For Redistribution: What to do about Inequality

Wray writes: "I think that real punishment would do one heck of a lot more to reduce income inequality than taxes will ever do. Put a thousand of Wall Street’s “finest” behind bars."


How about what they really fear?

Sentence them and their family to live on a middle class income for the period of sentencing.   They would be divested of the right, benefit and use of all existing property and assets during period of the sentence.  During the sentence middle class income would be fully provided by the government and be the only money that the individual and family may spend under the strict control of a single debit card as the only means of spending.  Receiving or spending money from any other source would be a violation of conditions of sentence resulting in the individual confined to the residence for the remainder of the term.

The sentenced individual or any family member may seek employment from any 501.3c entity but may not be paid for their work.  No outside gifts or "in kind" goods or services may be received.  The individual or family is otherwise entitled to government or community support and services available to all citizens.





A punishment for the family?   If the sentenced individual is in prison that punishes the family by separation.  If the person sentenced to live on a middle class income is married the spouse has the same rights as any other citizen regarding the marriage relationship.

Inhumane punishment?




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