TWO-PART CRIMINAL SYSTEM ISN'T NEEDED

I read, with much disdain, a letter in the Sept. 16 Register (Changes
needed in justice system) in which the writer stated that Americans need to
ask, Is our criminal justice system working, or not working?

She then proposed government programs to stop citizens from drinking and
driving and stop citizens from drug use. One should think about these
proposals. How far into our personal lives dare we invite the government?
Are we to pay more taxes, so each citizen can have a government agent
acting as our conscience, as well as our judgment and self-restraint?

I have never been arrested for driving under the influence, yet I received
no state-sponsored lessons on how not to drive drunk. I have never been
arrested for committing a crime -- again, without help from the government.

What makes me special? Nothing. I chose not to drive drunk. I chose not to
commit crimes. For mistakes that I have made, I take full responsibility. I
do not make the government into a parental figure.

There is no need for a two-part criminal justice system, one for punishment
and one for prevention and rehabilitation. The prevention is every
citizen's personal obligation. The truth of the matter is, if each and
every citizen did his or her utmost to not commit crime, then there would
be no need for the punishment.

As for a government program to prevent drug use, Nancy Reagan had the very
best one possible: Just say no. If nobody uses drugs, then nobody buys
drugs, then nobody sells drugs, then there is no market for drugs and no
money for selling drugs, and the illegal drug problem disappears. All
without the government lifting a finger.

Unfortunately, Nancy Reagan's program was laughed at by those with a vested
interest in the continuing decline of a responsible and self- governing
nation.

The letter writer, and all other citizens, should jealously guard freedoms
granted by the bloodshed of fellow countrymen, including freedom of thought
and choice. When we, as a nation, truly realize and respect the price paid
for such an open and free society, we will begin to live as though we want
to earn that freedom.

And we will not disregard laws, rules and outright common sense when it
comes to running our own lives. Furthermore, we will begrudge those who do.
We will demand retribution and reckoning.

DALLAS A. DeVILBISS

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