Make Your Voice Heard in the Mandatory Minimums Debate

Today’s BlueOregon blog contains an interesting post by Kari Chisolm: “Grover Norquist abandons mandatory minimums. Will Oregon conservatives follow his lead?”

Kari reports that Grover Norquist, the leader of the right-wing Americans for Tax Reform, has come out strongly against mandatory minimum sentencing measures like Measure 11. In testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Norquist concluded that “…mandatory minimum sentencing policies are not worth the high cost to America’s taxpayers.”

The mandatory minimum debate is fueled not only by those who argue the economic implications and policy perspectives, it is also hotly political. This is an excellent opportunity to add your voice to those opposed to mandatory minimums and speak to the politics involved in Oregon’s criminal justice and electoral systems. BlueOregon is read by many Oregon policymakers.

Some points to consider:

    * Measure 11 has not only caused a huge economic problem for Oregon, it is just plain bad policy. Mandatory minimums eliminate judicial discretion and are proven to be the most expensive and least effective means of dealing with public safety.
    * A political wedge may be appearing between the fiscal conservatives and the social conservatives. If Doell and Mannix receive less financial from some of their right-wing buddies – this is great news!

Please take a few minutes today to post a comment on this story at BlueOregon.

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