Up is Down & Down is Up

I watch the news to stay informed, and I must say it has become an obsession. It could be worse–I could be obsessed with reality TV or Candy Crush or whatever else is out there to undermine the intelligence of the masses.

While watching the news last week, I saw a segment about how Washington D.C. has  adopted a proposal to pay released prisoners if they do not commit any more crimes. You can read more about the proposal from a Washington Times article here.

This both infuriated and saddened me. Paying offenders not to reoffend? What?? Do law abiding citizens get paid to be law abiding citizens? No they do not. But it’s their money that will be spent to pay past offenders a stipend and to pay for the behavioral modification courses necessary to receive the stipend. It makes no sense to reward those who break the law!

I believe the same behavioral modification is possible by strengthening the family. Not everyone is fortunate enough to come from the ideal two-parent home, but families come in all shapes and sizes. Just look at Ben Carson. He and his brother were raised by a single mother who worked her fingers to the bone. She kept a roof over their heads, food on the table, and helped them excel academically. Their family unit was strong!

I believe we spend so much time trying not to offend others instead of propping up the family unit–whatever it may look like. If we spend our time and resources building up the family, we won’t have to spend it rewarding those who break the law.

What do you think? Am I way off base?

photo credit: mic flags via photopin (license)