We have the highest incarceration rate in the world. 2.3 million adults are in American prisons today. Are we any safer on our streets than we would be if some of them were not behind bars, or at least not kept behind bars as long as we have been incarcerating them?
We seem to want long sentences, but forget that the longer a person is in prison, the more money it takes to keep him or her there. And we hate to pay taxes. But not only is the average age of prisoners rising, the number of those over fifty is increasing significantly because of "three-strikes you're out" and other mandatory sentencing laws. The cost of health care for these aging men and women is a large part of the prison budget.
Rather than keep building prisons, is now the time to provide more programs that keep people out of jail by reaching young people who are likely to commit crimes, by changing our sentencing laws, and by having more programs in prison to prevent recidivism? You decide.
If you are aware of other programs funded by local, state, and/or national taxes that help protect us from crime, and punish the offender, that are not included in this list, please let me know. Use the Contact Us form.
How do you want your taxes to be spent to protect you, and others, against crime? |
| ________ |
Programs that work to reduce gang violence, such as youth diversion programs |
| ________ |
Management of prisons with a focus on punishment |
| ________ |
Management of prisons with a focus on rehabilitation |
| ________ |
Strong police force |
| ________ |
Management of a fair judicial system |
| ________ |
Enforcement of gun control laws |
| ________ |
Management of a fair judicial system |
| ________ |
Enforcement of laws against theft, fraud, graft, and other financial crimes |
| ________ |
Neighborhood watch |
| ________ |
School programs that stress moral and ethical behavior and responsibility to others
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HOW TO PLAY
1. Read How Will the Election Change Our Taxes? for an introduction to the game.
2. Read Rules for the Tax-and-Spend Game in order to understand the assumptions under which the rules have been written — and to learn what you have to do to win the game.
3. Use the line in front of each item to write how you would like funding to continue, to be reduced, to be increased, or to be eliminated.
4. Complete all eleven categories in order to win the game.
Remember, while eliminating government waste should be pursued if for no other reason than that it will reduce taxes to some extent, that action alone will not eliminate the national debt.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you consider the importance of each item on the left. Pay particular attention to "why" and/or "how" you answer the question the way you do.
 Have I or my friends benefited from this government program? How?
In what way does this service benefit society as a whole even if I, or my family and friends, are not personally affected by the program?
Do I believe government should fund this program? Why?
If I am currently participating or benefiting from this program, would I be willing to have it eliminated in order to balance the budget?
How would I suggest the services provided by this program be funded? Why? See How Does the Government Get Our Money?
Could the services of this program be easily provided by the private sector? If so, how?
In the line to the left of each item, write one of the following:
Maintain . . .
. . . indicates you are satisfied in having your taxes support that particular crime prevention program in local, state, and national budgets at the same rate your taxes fund it today
Decrease . . .
. . . indicates you want to spend fewer of your tax dollars on that item
Increase . . .
. . . means you believe the government needs to do more than it is currently doing and you are willing to be taxed accordingly
Eliminate . . .
. . . means you do not want the government to provide this service and you know a way in which it can be supported effectively without taxes (see How We Pay for Government Services)
Use the Contact Us form to send comments and questions concerning the Tax-and-Spend Game. |
Protection Against Crime