I don't think for most folks that the desire to be "tough on crime" is at all difficult to align with "a humane criminal justice system". Being tough on crime means making it difficult and undesirable to commit the crime in the first place and then having consequences when someone commits a crime anyhow.
I don't think for most folks that the desire to be "tough on crime" is at all difficult to align with "a humane criminal justice system". Being tough on crime means making it difficult and undesirable to commit the crime in the first place and then having consequences when someone commits a crime anyhow.
In the real world at present, this would mean not decriminalizing shoplifting. It would mean actually encorcing and prosecuting the laws. It would mean supporting a well trained police force.
Several Trump voters that I know have spent extended time in jail and are understandably very liberal and humane in their belief that those incarcerated should be treated humanely and once released that they have "paid their dues" and should have the full rights of any citizen. But at the same time, if someone were to break into their neighbor's house or store, they want to see the perpetrator arrested and convicted. Outside of partisian discord, these two beliefs are not a source of cognitive dissonance.
This seems a very normal way to feel and yes, Trump recognized this while the Dems did not. So, yes, Trump won, but isn't that how a functioning democracy should work? There is nothing nefarious about it.
I don't think for most folks that the desire to be "tough on crime" is at all difficult to align with "a humane criminal justice system". Being tough on crime means making it difficult and undesirable to commit the crime in the first place and then having consequences when someone commits a crime anyhow.
In the real world at present, this would mean not decriminalizing shoplifting. It would mean actually encorcing and prosecuting the laws. It would mean supporting a well trained police force.
Several Trump voters that I know have spent extended time in jail and are understandably very liberal and humane in their belief that those incarcerated should be treated humanely and once released that they have "paid their dues" and should have the full rights of any citizen. But at the same time, if someone were to break into their neighbor's house or store, they want to see the perpetrator arrested and convicted. Outside of partisian discord, these two beliefs are not a source of cognitive dissonance.
This seems a very normal way to feel and yes, Trump recognized this while the Dems did not. So, yes, Trump won, but isn't that how a functioning democracy should work? There is nothing nefarious about it.
Trump also signed the First Step Act, which has brought thousands of people home from prison sooner.