Prior to becoming a presidential contender and California senator, Kamala Harris first gained fame as a district attorney and then attorney general in California and was viewed as a tough, no-nonsense prosecutor with no qualms about putting criminals in prison with high bail and lengthy sentences.
But that particular prosecutorial reputation has not served Harris well among the largely anti-cop base of the Democratic Party so far this primary season, a fact which has compelled Harris to do a complete about-face and issue a criminal justice reform plan that is the exact opposite of what she supposedly stood for in the past.
Harris’ criminal justice reform plan
Harris released her plan to “Transform the Criminal Justice System and Re-Envision Public Safety in America” on Monday, and it can only be described as a wide-reaching grab bag of reforms — some good and necessary, others terrible and counterproductive — that she would impose upon the country one way or another if elected president.
The plan mentions “four main levers” Harris can use to effectuate change: working with Congress or via executive action, launching investigations through the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, incentivizing changes at state and local level through federal grant funding, and using the bully pulpit of the presidency to advocate for change.
Likewise, the plan includes four “guiding principles” behind the proposed changes, namely, ending mass incarceration; holding law enforcement accountable to its communities; ensuring equitable and humane treatment for all in the justice system; and taking care to protect the “vulnerable” caught up in the system.
So many contradictions
The Washington Examiner conducted a detailed review of Harris’ plan and found that many aspects of her proposals stood in stark contrast to her actions as a prosecutor.
Chief among the contradictions is Harris’ call to “end mass incarceration” and reduce the prison population, largely by way of ending the “war on drugs” and legalizing marijuana, keeping women convicted of non-violent offenses out of jail, ending mandatory minimum sentences and increasing the use of clemency, and creating an independent commission to review lengthy sentences after a set time.
But the Examiner noted that, as a prosecutor, Harris bragged in 2008 about how she had tripled the number of misdemeanor cases taken to trial — many of those on minor drug possession charges — and that she believed that a crackdown on all levels of crime was necessary to protect the public and prevent more serious offenses from happening by putting criminals in prison.
As for Harris’ plan for increased accountability for police, the candidate called for strict limits on the use of deadly force, creating a National Police Systems Review Board akin to the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate alleged misconduct and shootings, using the DOJ to crack down on local police departments, and, among other things, funding body cameras for every officer nationwide.
However, as a prosecutor, Harris opposed a “one-size-fits-all” solution to the question of body cameras and left it up to individual departments to decide whether to use them or not.
Pandering to the party base
Harris also called for an end to money bail in her plan, but during her tenure as a prosecutor, she encouraged courts to set bails even higher to keep criminals off the streets. Her plan also advocates for a crackdown on prosecutors’ offices and increased funding for public defenders, a move that stabs her former fellow law enforcement officials in the back.
A plethora of other proposals can be found in Harris’ plan — again, some good, most bad — but it is obvious that her campaign is really attempting to push back against the dismissive “she’s a cop” narrative that is hurting her with her own party’s far-left base. Declaring war on police departments and prosecutors and upending the criminal justice system as we know it appears to be her latest attempt to pander to that base.
164 Responses
I really like your writing style, fantastic info, regards for putting up :D. “Your central self is totally untouched By grief, confusion, desperation.” by Vernon Howard.
of course like your web-site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to inform the reality however I will definitely come again again.
Yet another thing I would like to convey is that as opposed to trying to suit all your online degree tutorials on days that you finish off work (considering that people are exhausted when they go back home), try to receive most of your lessons on the week-ends and only a few courses on weekdays, even if it means taking some time away from your saturday and sunday. This is fantastic because on the saturdays and sundays, you will be extra rested along with concentrated for school work. Thanks alot : ) for the different ideas I have realized from your web site.
Thank you for every other informative web site. The place else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect manner? I’ve a venture that I’m just now running on, and I have been at the look out for such info.
Great ¡V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
I am writing to let you know of the nice discovery my girl encountered visiting yuor web blog. She mastered a lot of pieces, not to mention what it is like to possess a very effective coaching mindset to get other folks completely comprehend a variety of grueling things. You truly did more than readers’ desires. Thanks for coming up with such practical, dependable, edifying and as well as cool guidance on your topic to Ethel.
There are some interesting closing dates on this article however I dont know if I see all of them middle to heart. There’s some validity however I will take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish extra! Added to FeedBurner as well
Utterly composed articles, Really enjoyed reading through.
I have seen a lot of useful elements on your web site about pc’s. However, I’ve the opinion that netbooks are still less than powerful adequately to be a good choice if you generally do things that require loads of power, for example video enhancing. But for internet surfing, word processing, and majority of other prevalent computer work they are all right, provided you don’t mind small screen size. Appreciate sharing your thinking.
Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice practices and we are looking to exchange methods with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
201517 195846Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. In concept I would like to location in writing such as this moreover – spending time and actual effort to create a excellent article but so what can I say I procrastinate alot through no indicates discover a strategy to go completed. 964255
Very well written story. It will be supportive to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
I¡¦ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i am satisfied to express that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much indubitably will make certain to don¡¦t fail to remember this site and give it a glance regularly.
Mr fog Max Mr fog Max PRO Air Bar Disposable Cali Air Disposable
Thanks for some other informative blog. Where else may just I get that kind of info written in such an ideal method? I have a challenge that I am simply now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.
426110 364760Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know some with the pictures arent loading properly. Im not confident why but I feel its a linking problem. Ive tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcomes. 434124
I really like your writing style, superb information, appreciate it for putting up :D. “In every affair consider what precedes and what follows, and then undertake it.” by Epictetus.
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time studying more or working out more. Thank you for magnificent information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.
One other issue is that if you are in a scenario where you do not possess a co-signer then you may really need to try to make use of all of your educational funding options. You can find many awards and other scholarships that will offer you funds to support with college expenses. Thanks a lot for the post.
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
903417 633590so a lot good info on here, : D. 210574
Hi there, I found your website by way of Google whilst searching for a similar matter, your web site got here up, it seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
That is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for searching for extra of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
we are a company located in humboldt county CA we have a large selection of top shelf marijuana strains, we also have vapes, edibles and more. Our customers are our top priority, please contact us if you have questions like where to buy cannabis online in restricted states/countries.
Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and excellent design.
219090 368292Genuinely clear web site , thanks for this post. 299770
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
197672 365579Do people still use these? Personally I enjoy gadgets but I do prefer something a bit a lot more up to date. Still, nicely written piece thanks. 276966
926391 136288Thank you for sharing with us, I conceive this web site genuinely stands out : D. 554849
547902 323412Overall, politicians are split on the issue of whether Twitter is a lot more for business or personal use. The first thing will be the fact which you can build up quite a large following of men and women. 593205
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.
Remarkable! Its truly amazing paragraph, I have got much clear idea concerning from this paragraph.
I was recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I am now not sure whether or not this submit is written through him as no one else understand such precise about my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!
174136 471180I like this web site very much, Its a truly nice situation to read and get information . 704138
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this web site; this blog consists of awesome and genuinely good information for visitors.
435612 656013If you are still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Finest Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds greater to you, and which interface makes you smile much more. Then youll know which is appropriate for you. 803987
422941 90142Deference to op , some superb entropy. 552866