Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has filed a bill to reform federal asset forfeiture laws. Yesterday, he introduced the FAIR (Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration) ACT, Senate Bill 2644, which would require the government to prove with clear and convincing evidence that the property it wishes to forfeit is connected with a crime.
A modern form of highway robbery?
The FAIR Act would require that state law enforcement agencies abide by state law when seizing property. It would also remove the profit incentive for forfeiture by redirecting forfeitures' assets from the Attorney General's Asset Forfeiture Fund to the Treasury's General Fund.
"The federal government has made it far too easy for government agencies to take and profit from the property of those who have not been convicted of a crime. The FAIR Act will ensure that government agencies no longer profit from taking the property of U.S. citizens without due process, while maintaining the ability of courts to order the surrender of proceeds of crime," Sen. Paul said.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As of today, it has no cosponsors.
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Comments
Kollll
I feel sorry for that!
In reply to Kollll by John M Williams (not verified)
I doubt you know much of
In reply to I doubt you know much of by jrididje (not verified)
Why do you doubt?
And which Nobel-prize winning economist do you base these conclusions on?
Anyone who says that war is bad economics hasn't studied history. War is economically bad only if you lose outright or are unable to maintain your loan obligations / roll over debt. Rome collapsed when victory no longer brought gold and slaves. The US fights wars in the middle east because it buys black gold. Meanwhile, the money spent on the US Military provides several million jobs, countless medical advancements, and provides healthcare and paid college tuition for many of the poorest kids in the nation. It is common sense that the people most likely spend cash are those who barely have enough money to pay the bills -- every dollar you give will be spent.
"Money is backed by nothing ... causes the price of gold to rise"
this statement compares a constant to a variable. More money is backed by nothing every day, yes. And so gold, which expands in supply more slowly than cash, will appreciate because there are more dollars per ounce of gold. But what does the price of gold have to do with the price of a pair of pants or a loaf of bread? Pretty much nothing. Only investors and jewelers care about gold. Those on the brink of poverty don't have investments, so the price of gold doesn't matter. You've taken two unrelated variables -- price of gold and poverty rates -- and claimed a direct correlation out of thin air. China has had relatively high inflation for years and poverty there is going way down. Greece is facing deflation and poverty is skyrocketing. Go ask a Greek or Spanish 20-something if he's worried about the price of gold and see if he/she gives a damn.
It is accepted by all mainstream economists that the federal reserve essentially forced the financial crisis that created the great depression by implementing the exact opposite policy that the Bernanke Fed implemented. The world's greatest controlled study makes this clear: the US has had a declining unemployment rate for years now, and the EU is still facing youth unemployment upwards of 30%. Guess whose central bank did something and guess which one did nothing?
This is a no-brainer
No co-sponsors? Republicans and Democrats alike should be all over this. Who is actually in favor of cops stealing shit? Does it really matter whose shit it is? Cops shouldn't be stealing, that's a no-brainer.
The opposition to this bill is fierce
The Law enforcement lobby has the ear of Washington and will spend millions to get these forfeiture laws expanded to cover more even assets that can be seized. Where are the lobbyists to oppose such corruption? They barely exist. I applaud Senator Paul for sponsoring this bill and stimulating a much needed debate. These asset forfeiture laws target those in our society with the least power and resources to fight these hideous laws, so the government gets away with screwing them. I don't expect this bill to pass, but I relish seeing these thieves and political cronies have to defend their lawless, criminal behavior. Put these law enforcement officials in front of someone like Rep. Steve Cohen and he'll embarrass them.
Thievery Is What Happens When You Buy Into Lies
The asset forfeiture program is one more extension of the scam that is Drug Prohibition, wherein a people is made complicit in its own debasement and enslavement. Don't forget: the Drug War is the major tool being used to implement the illegal and unconstitutional spying, invasion of privacy, and yada yada yada... and of which bullshit the 'Patriot Act' tries in vain to sanctify. These oinking 'Sheriffs of Nottingham' will get their corresponding Robin Hoods, who will win out, one fine day! That's what the legends remind us. And those legends are a lot more believable than Rand Paul...
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