It is clear to any who look at our prison industrial complex that it is run for profit of the already rich and is a part of the larger class warfare. The profit motive of the criminal justice system has led to a system that disproportionately affects poor individuals and communities, while the rich profit off the misery of the poor. This is a critical issue that must be addressed in order to create a fair and just criminal justice system for all.
One of the most egregious examples of the profit motive in the criminal justice system is the use of private prisons. Private prisons are owned and operated by for-profit corporations, who have a financial incentive to keep as many individuals incarcerated as possible. This results in longer sentences and harsher conditions for prisoners, all in the name of increasing profits for the corporations that own and operate these facilities. Private prisons have been shown to have higher rates of violence, neglect, and abuse compared to publicly-run facilities. This is because private prisons are motivated by profit, not by the well-being of prisoners or the communities they serve. The profit motive leads to cutting costs, which can result in understaffing, inadequate medical care, and inadequate rehabilitation programs, among others. How far can this system go before we say enough is enough.
There are so many egregious violations of human rights it’s hard to narrow it down but another example of the profit motive in the criminal justice system is the use of prison labor by large corporations. Many companies benefit from the exploitation of prison labor, paying prisoners a fraction of the minimum wage for their work. This not only perpetuates the cycle of poverty for individuals upon release, but it also takes jobs away from non-incarcerated individuals and drives down wages for all workers. This is because companies are able to exploit prison labor to reduce their labor costs, which in turn leads to less competition in the job market and lower wages for all workers.
Furthermore, the use of prison labor also undermines the rehabilitation aspect of the prison system. Instead of providing prisoners with the necessary education, training and counseling they need to reintegrate into society, they are used as cheap labor force which does not provide them with the skills necessary to find employment upon release. In fact upon release their time spent behind bars disqualifies them from getting gainful employment in most states. They are required to disclose it even though by serving their sentence the punishment for their crime is supposed to be over. Instead people can suffer their whole lives for mistakes when they were young.
In addition, the criminal justice system is heavily impacted by class inequality, with poor individuals and communities disproportionately affected. For example, when low-income individuals are unable to afford bail, they are often forced to remain in pre-trial detention, leading to harsher sentences and longer incarceration. Meanwhile, the bail bond industry, which profits off of the inability of low-income individuals to afford bail, is dominated by wealthy individuals and corporations. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty and disadvantages for low-income individuals and communities, who are more likely to be incarcerated and have less access to legal representation and resources. The public defenders at every level are understaffed, underpaid, and over worked. No sane person can look at their caseload and say that they can provide and adequate legal defense. In the meantime white collar criminals hide behind armies of lawyers who can fill the courts with stalling tactics and help their clients get away with stealing more from people than most criminals could ever dream.
The issue of class inequality in the criminal justice system is further compounded by the "war on drugs", which has been shown to disproportionately affect communities of color. The criminalization of drugs has led to a significant increase in incarceration, particularly among Black and Latino communities. This is not due to any inherent differences in drug use, but rather a result of systemic racism and bias within the criminal justice system. Over policing can only impact the communities they are targeting and it isn’t the suburbs that are having special units assigned to harass their citizens.
It is crucial to recognize the profit motive in the criminal justice system and its impact on class inequality. Without addressing these issues, the cycle of poverty and marginalization will continue, and the rich will continue to profit off the misery of the poor. Why should we let anyone profit from the incarceration of people. If we really cared about all Americans we would try to raise up our lower class instead of disregarding them behind bars and a police system that uses more military equipment on their daily patrols than most countries have access to.
To address these issues, it is important to shift the focus of the criminal justice system from punishment to rehabilitation. This can be achieved through ending the use of private prisons, prison labor, and the bail bond industry, providing access to legal representation and resources for low-income families. I urge people to recognize prisoners as people, don’t buy into the propaganda spewed through countless cop dramas where everyone behind bars is either Tony Montana or Hannibal Lecter. Let’s recognize that police can’t handle every societal problem in today’s world and to help we can divert funding from things like private prisons to social programs.
One potential solution is to invest in rehabilitation programs that are tailored to the specific needs of individuals and communities. These programs should focus on providing education, job training, and counseling to prisoners, in order to increase their chances of successful reintegration into society upon release. Additionally, investing in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs can also help reduce recidivism and improve the overall well-being of individuals who are incarcerated.
In conclusion, the profit motive in the criminal justice system has led to a system that disproportionately affects poor individuals and communities, while the rich profit off the misery of the poor. It is crucial that we recognize this and work towards solutions that address these issues and create a fair and just criminal justice system for all. This can include investing in rehabilitation programs, creating policies that prioritize the well-being of all citizens, holding companies and individuals accountable, and addressing systemic racism and bias. By taking these steps, we can work towards a criminal justice system that truly serves the needs of all citizens and promotes justice and equality for all.
 

The future of our country appears bleak. On this Independence Day weekend, I can’t help but wonder where the United States is heading. I am in my thirties and have seen major corporations crash our economy multiple times due to greed which goes unpunished. I have seen people with more money than they could spend in ten lifetimes lobby against giving someone a livable wage. Now= we have seen six people use their religious beliefs to strip rights from 167 million women. I used to believe that a strong federal government could regulate business and prevent monopolies, now I know that they have no interest in that. They aren’t interested in our rights or our futures, only in the thickness of their wallets.
Throughout our history our government has sided with big business, choosing greed over the common good almost every time. Conservative states are poised to launch lawsuit after lawsuit while the Supreme Court is stacked in their favor. An unprecedented attack on democracy and liberty is happening right in front of us under the guise of legal action. I never intended for this blog to be political but after the overturning of Roe v Wade I can’t stand by and do nothing while the women of this country become subject to draconian laws. While the Justices, who we have no accountability over, distract us with cases that make headlines others go unnoticed and threaten our futures.
Climate change is the single greatest threat to everyone on the planet. The Supreme Court is in the beginning of a trend to return power to the states, including a recent ruling stating that the EPA doesn’t have the power to regulate carbon emissions. Saying that the agency which was created to protect our biosphere doesn’t have the authority to do just that is a blatant slap in the face to the people of this country. The EPA was already considered one of the weaker government agencies but now they have been dealt a mortal blow, our Federal system is losing power right in front of our eyes.
States that wish to attract industry will do so with favorable tax rates and unlimited carbon emissions allowed. This will add to the massive problem we are already facing, rising emissions of carbon. The mother of all problems should not be left to the whim of fifty different states. Congress could pass a law about carbon emissions but they won’t until it’s too late and this Supreme Court would knock it down quoting something about their interpretation of the Constitution. Our politicians have proven throughout history to be open to undue influence from whoever has the most money. Both sides have made it clear they value their wealth over our future health. The future of America? It’s dying and we need to prepare for what comes next.

   At the end of every archery season, I take my unfilled tags and tack them to the wall above my desk. At this point, the wall resembles a mural of what some would call failed hunts. While I wouldn’t call them that, it’s a good thing my family doesn’t rely on my archery acumen to feed us. The tags serve as a reminder that you don’t get second chances stalking deer in the desert, but if you don’t stay optimistic you won’t last long. 
   So, above all else when I find time to hunt, I have to be hopeful. I have to believe that those cold mornings are going to pay off. When nothing shows up, I have to find ways to stay behind the binoculars long after my eyes ache, even when it seems that there are as many deer in Arizona as there are in Antarctica. I typically get one opportunity a season to stalk a deer and get within bow range. When I blow that chance, I just have to shake it off and smile. 
   This hopeful attitude takes practice, when I missed my first buck after a two-hour stalk, I wanted to sell my bow and retire. The sight of my arrow sailing over the back of a beautiful Coues buck is something that still haunts me, but I couldn’t let it ruin the rest of the hunt. I worked hard to get a second opportunity that trip but it didn’t happen, that’s archery out west.
   Each time I go out, I remind myself to embrace the challenge and remember why I choose to do it this way. Outside with my family is a better way to spend a weekend than anything else I can think of. I’ll keep going out, I don’t know how long it will take but I know it will happen.     

Minor Spoilers Ahead
In a dystopian near future all animal meat is mysteriously infected with a deadly virus. Even mild contact, such as a scratch, leads to a painful death for any human on Earth. Tender is the Flesh explores the question of how far people are willing to go to continue to consume meat. The main character, Marcos, is part of the generation that remembers buying, cooking, and eating commercial meats like beef or pork. His thoughts on the Transition and modern society will haunt each reader long after the final page.  
Now Marcos is resigned to his soul crushing, but well paying, job at a slaughterhouse that has been re-purposed to process “special meat.” For anyone with a queasy stomach this book is not for them because the author, Agustina Bazterrica, goes into gut wrenching detail. She describes everything from how the vocal cords have been removed to the assembly line practice of murdering nameless people and even to the public demand for different shades of leather.
Marcos is forced to confront his own feelings about the world he participates in, as several things in his life reach a boiling point all at once. After a client makes a gift of a female “head” he must decide how far his humanity goes. Anyone worried that this is just a grisly book about cannibalism can put those fears to bed, the narrator and extended cast are brought to life so well that you feel as if they are speaking to you. With the author being from Argentina there are a few conventions that surprised me, such as more telling than showing dialogue in the opening of the book. The more I read though the more I realized that the detached words from Marcos were a brilliant way to show how numb he has become to the horror of daily life.
This book is a dark look at how quickly we can normalize our own horrible behavior. However, readers will empathize with Marcos as he struggles with family problems, tries to hold his marriage together, and how to keep giving yourself to a job that might one day eat you alive.  I recommend this book for anyone interested in the darker side of human nature, well-crafted characters, and great writing.