Today I am going to touch upon one of the biggest issues that the Presidential
candidates are faced with this election year.
It is no secret that Republicans and Democrats each have their own
ideals about the Criminal Justice system.
In recent months, Americans have seen terrible stories of police brutality, systemic racism and profiling within the criminal justice system and a hated against police officers has been ignited like never before in recent history. Incidents like the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota Police Officers or the murder of Brianna Taylor by Louisville, KY Police have fueled the rise of the “Black Lives Matter” movement as well as a call for federal de-funding of law enforcement. The question is, how does each side intend to address our Criminal Justice problems and which is a better way for our country?
I am going to lay out the differences, and any similarities, that exist between the two Presidential candidates and let my readers decide how they feel.
While the Federal Government hasn't executed a Federal Prisoner since 2003; the topic of Capital Punishment (Death Penalty) remains a hot button item. In November 2019, a Gallop Poll found that 56% of Americans oppose the death penalty. With that in mind, here is what the two candidates claim to believe on this topic.
Joe Biden is in line with the general stance taken by the Democratic Party and is against Capital Punishment at the Federal Level. He states that he will work to pass legislation that eliminates the Federal Death Penalty. He would also provide incentives to states which also eliminate the death penalty from their sentencing guidelines. Biden believes that by eliminating the death penalty, we will be protecting the rights of individuals who have been falsely accused and falsely convicted of crimes in which they didn't commit. One of the drawbacks to completely eliminating Capital Punishment is in severe cases of Murder and Child Abuse, the perpetrator would remain with the care of the Department of Corrections. This is tax payer money that will help to pay for the lifelong incarceration of prisoners who would otherwise be guaranteed and "end date".
Donald Trump supports Capital Punishment and does not intend on eliminating it.
The biggest topic of this campaign when it comes to the criminal justice system is whether or not the candidates are for or against the Federal defunding of Law Enforcement. While the Republicans would like to have American's believe that Joe Biden and the Democrats wish to do this, that is not entirely the truth. Joe Biden is in full support of the SAFE Justice Act which is a comprehensive bill intended on reforming the criminal justice system and work toward the elimination of the racial, gender & income disparities within the system that unfairly target minority groups.
President Trump has promised to hire more police officers, increase the penalties for assaulting a police officer, prosecute drive-by shootings as domestic terrorism, overturn reforms that end the cash bail system and prosecute groups such as Antifa for their violent protests & criminal activity. All of these are commendable, however, there has not been put forth a clear cut plan by Trump or the Republican party on how they would deal with the racial, gender & economic discrimination and and cases of police misconduct. The fact that President Trump fails to address this could be a major factor in the election.
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