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Because I dislike crime. It's really that simple. Here's my take: if you have issues with cops, perhaps you're the problem, not the cops.
I think this is a false assumption on your part. Though not entirely false.
You have to ask yourself a question, "What causes crime"? Does simply the absence of police cause crime? Aren't those areas where the police are in greatest numbers, the areas with the most crime? Does doubling the number of police reduce crime? If so, why don't they do that?
For that matter, crime in America is significantly higher today than it was during much of the history of America. Crime rates tripled between 1960 and 1995. Why? Was it because there were fewer police? Was it because there were fewer people in prison?
Look, crime is a socio-economic and cultural problem. The total number of police has almost no relationship with crime rates. Pretending that it does is just something politicians do to get elected.
The question really is, how does the overwhelming police presence affect the culture of America? Especially of minorities and people from the "lower-classes". And secondly, how does the constant enforcement of penalties which are largely only enforced to pad the government pocketbook, affect the way people see the police? Especially those who feel "most preyed upon".
And if someone sees the police negatively, how does that change their views of society itself? For instance, are they more likely to be "cooperative and productive" when they feel harassed by "their own government"? Or are they more likely to be angry, resentful, and seek to punish society in general. Especially what they perceive as their "oppressors". Who in your mind, "deserve whatever they get".
The point is, I think much of what the police do creates the kind of anger that creates the crime that justifies the existence of the police. You are buying into it, so you are feeding into it.
Lets not even forget how many corrupt police there are. Corruption, power, and money simply go together. It isn't a police thing, it is a human thing. If you give someone authority over others, they are bound to become a tyrant.
Watch this video from 6:15 to 7:15. He explains the situation very well.
Predatory policing? Please, this kid was involved in a robbery, attacked a police officer and tried to take his weapon, and everybody is surprised he got shot. Although bad cops are a definite problem, let's learn to differentiate between the pot and the kettle first please.
the wolves always are certain that there is a need to get rid of sheep dogs. the wolves always say without sheep dogs your lives will be better. i will go inform the poor black man and store owner who brown is throwing around by the the throat on video of that fact.
i will be sure to inform the pastor of the black church that the ferguson boys burned down of that fact.
these men are your friends and if there were not any police i assure you they would never do this to your home or store.
Unfortunately, you devalue your topic by bringing in the Brown shooting. LE abuse of power is a topic that needs much more exposure. Just don't link it to the Brown shooting.
The tragedy in Ferguson, Mo., highlights how predatory policing has reduced trust in law-enforcement in many parts of the U.S. Court fines (mostly connected with traffic violations) are worth 20 percent of Ferguson’s general-fund revenue. That’s considerably more than property tax revenues and about two thirds sales tax revenues.
The very nature of the War on "Drugs" has incentivized police departments across the country to go after non-violent drug offenders-then you can take their money, cars and even their home. Over 70% of Cops' time is spent on drug crime-that leaves very little time for all the murderers, rapists and thieves.
With the federal military weapons transfer program we are now seeing police departments everywhere with an infinite supply of war equipment and weapons that they are nowhere close to being trained to use properly.
If you don't see a problem, you are ignorant to the situation. Luckily, many Police Officers seem to be smarter than our Federal Government, but not all of them-and that is not a challenging feat in the first place.
The OP was not talking about the kid. Nice deflection. The OP is demonstrating that the lack of trust and the policing turning into a profit center might....just might be a issue.
Why did the post bring it up then?
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followed by the War on "Terror".
