Okay… pretend I am running for President. So I will propose a new social contract.
We are rich enough that we can take care of everybody. But we aren’t rich enough to just throw money around. We can’t just give money away.
Most Americans care deeply about freedom and justice. So do I.
Crime
Crime: The Third Verdict
A small percentage of people commit a large percentage of the crimes. But it is difficult to convict criminals. The problem of reasonable doubt makes it easy for perps to walk.
One problem: we only have two verdicts: guilty and not guilty.
A solution: a third verdict: “We think you’re guilty.”
If the D.A. can get a jury to say that they think you are guilty, you are free to go… but we will be watching you, possibly covertly. We will spy on you and possibly entrap you by tempting you to commit another crime. So you better be good.
Crime: Nationalizing Vice
We could reduce crime by de-criminalizing vice. People want to do sex and drugs. People want to pursue pleasure. They believe they have an inherent right to the pursuit of happiness. I agree with them.
But our Puritanical background has prohibitions that restrict people from pursuing happiness. So the nanny-state says: no no no.
The mafia and the gangs see an opportunity here. They will sell you sex and drugs and make a ton of money in the process. So citizen John gets to pursue happiness, but he empowers the pimp and the drug lords in the process. Hmmm.
If we were to nationalize vice and let the government be the pimp and the pusher, we could do a much better job of making our streets safe. The drug quality and strength could be regulated. The prostitutes could be continually tested for diseases and certified as tested.
We just need to accept that sex and drugs are things that some of our citizens want. We should allow them to pursue happiness as they see fit.