Quote:
Originally Posted by USSKittyHawk
When they start giving these guys 25 to life sentences for DUI, then maybe people will think twice before drinking and driving.
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Not to get too off topic, but obviously they won't think twice. The punishments, at least in Minnesota, are pretty severe. You can lose your license, get prison time or both on your first conviction, even if there were no accidents associated with the offense. And multiple offenses stack up stiffer punishments. But I think that, as is the case with a lot of crime, punishment after the fact is somewhat useless. It doesn't change the behavior of the offender and it doesn't undo any damage s/he has done. Society would be better off addressing the issues ahead of time--preventative action.
That would never happen, however, because no politician is willing to give up the "Ooooh, I'm tough on crime, look at me!" bravado that gets them elected. (Same reason we have idiotic drug laws.)