NOT SO FREE (2 OF 3)

I agree that it's time for Americans to make ending the War on Drugs and
the nation's high incarceration rate political priorities. We are supposed
to be the "Land of the Free" but have more of our citizens behind bars than
any other country in the world.

Last year, a federal report showed the growth in prison population would
cost the federal government and states (taxpayers) about $40 billion a
year. Experts attribute this to mandatory minimum sentences for drug
offenders. Believe it or not, many of them would never hurt a fly, and some
may be suffering from an addiction.

It's time to stop treating nonviolent individuals like violent criminals
and start treating the sick with compassion.

Sandy Cote/via Internet