Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 16:46:28 -0500 (EST)
From: louisgodena-AT-ids.net (Louis R Godena)
Subject: M-I: Re: Identities (fwd from moderator)



The following non-member submission bounced to the moderators,

Louis Godena,
co-moderator




>From: ACORN - Pine Bluff <aracornpb-AT-igc.apc.org>
>To: marxism-international-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.EDU
>Subject: Re: M-I: Identities, the State, Capitalism (was Reply to Doug
Henwood...

I really do think that our levels of incarceration are simply the result of
a new strategy that has been uncovered to make money for some 
folks in the businesses that profit from prison construction and, now 
that prison management is being privatized, ongoing service of prison 
complexes. 

This strategy for profit is combined by a perpetual need for capatalist 
politicians to change the subject away from class economic grievances 
and instead talk about "moral" issues. "Things would be fine if our 
families were intact and these kids weren't running around joining 
gangs." "Well, it all comes down to values." This lets politicians off 
the hook because they can't head every household and raise every kid. 

This huge increase in incarceration is a result of the victory of the 
right. Unless things change where many more workers are needed, it will 
be simpler to put them away. 

--Jaon Murphy 




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