McMahon:

I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the reason there appeared to be an increase in crime after ramping up the war on drugs (which I think is a huge waste of money and police resources that needs to end, mostly because it can't be won) may have been that more officers on the streets led to more crimes being witnessed, and therefore recorded. In other words, the crimes were always there; there just weren't enough cops around to see them happening. I could certainly be wrong.

I agree with Keta on this one. I recognize the need for us all to share the burden of the Great Recession, but continually cutting everyone's pay and benefits is not the way to go about it, in my opinion. That sounds to me like exactly how the rich (owners, executives and legislators) would choose to handle the situation: squeeze every drop of blood that must be spilled from the peasants. Furthermore, every penny less that the working class gets paid is a penny less that is available for spending, which only exacerbates the effects of a recession.

I have taken my lumps so far, and I fully expect to take more in the near future. So far, I'm hanging in there alright, but at what point will we (the workers) run out of blood? At some point, "Be glad you still have a job" won't keep us at bay anymore.

I think those making the decisions to cut everyone's pay (in both the private and public sectors) should shoulder some of this burden next. It's their turn (although I doubt they will choose to take it).

Up the Revolution!!