News

Do Criminals Ever Pay Their Complete Debt to Society?

How does serving time in jail or prison fully repay society for transgressions?

Published

2 years ago

May 20, 2021

Jeff Davidson

When someone commits a crime and serves time for his or her transgression, whether the crime is murder or as simple as vandalism, has the debt to society truly been paid?

The notion prevails that serving time in jail or prison somehow repays society for the transgression. Is this the case, or even close to being so?

Let’s consider the crime of vandalism and not murder. In one town, four students vandalized the outside brick walls of the then newly constructed high school by writing racially-charged messages intended to hurt other students. The perpetrators were quickly apprehended and sentenced.

Assessing the True Costs

Jail time, community service, and paying to have the brickwork cleaned seem to satisfy most people’s sense of fairness. What are the true costs, however, of such a crime? In the case of the four young men who chose to vandalize the school building, we have the emotional pain of those to whom the messages were directed.

If I were a student who had gone to this school, and one day I arrived to be greeted by a large message in spray paint that said I was not wanted there, would jail time, a few hours of community service, or removal of such paint restore me to my previous state?

Even if the messages were harmless, such as a school slogan, what about the cost of the law officers, school officials, town officials, town magistrates, and court officials? What about the judge involved in trying the case, achieving judicial resolution, and carrying out the sentence?

Is their time collectively, including their per-hour costs, overtime, oil and gas for any vehicles, equipment, supplies, insurance benefits, and other costs, repaid by criminals?

Consider the costs the local jurisdiction pays in terms of constructing and maintaining facilities; cleaning linens; cooking meals; paying utility bills, including hot water, lights, and electricity to house such perpetrators during their jail time.

How, and when, is that repaid? You guessed it – through tax dollars. Are such out-of-pocket costs to society ever paid by the perpetrators themselves?

Truth in Debt to Society

Consider the resulting costs to society when someone commits a robbery, armed robbery, grand larceny, fraud, assault, rape, or murder.

For these, and a variety other crimes against individuals, organizations, governments, and other social institutions, are the comprehensive and true costs to the victims of the crime and society at large ever paid by those who commit such acts in the first place?

If criminals were charged with the full cost of their actions – call it “truth in debt to society,” including all of their processing, court, and incarceration costs – added to the penalty they’re assessed by the judge, then the justice system would be more sensitive to taxpayers, and provide a heartier form of justice to victims and the criminals.

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Jeff Davidson

Jeff Davidson is the world's only holder of the title "The Work-Life Balance Expert®" as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is the premier thought leader on work-life balance, integration, and harmony. Jeff speaks to organizations that seek to enhance their overall productivity by improving the effectiveness of their people. He is the author of Breathing Space, Simpler Living, Dial it Down, and Everyday Project Management. Visit www.BreathingSpace.com for more information on Jeff's keynote speeches and seminars, including: Managing the Pace with Grace® * Achieving Work-Life Balance™ * Managing Information and Communication Overload®

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Eight Dysphemisms to Start Your Week

A dysphemism is a word or phrase that is more offensive than the words it is replacing

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2023

Jeff Davidson

A “euphemism” is the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that might suggest something more bluntly or offend others, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. To say, for example, “He doesn’t have all his marbles,” is regarded as gentler than saying “He is stark raving insane.”

The Mighty Dysphemism

The opposite of a euphemism is a “dysphemism.” A dysphemism is a word or phrase that is more offensive, blunt, or harsh than the word or phrase which it is replacing. For example, instead of stating that the Manhattan District Attorney is “cognitively challenged,” you refer to him instead as a “total partisan whack job.”

For your amusement, at the least, here are eight dysphemism followed by the kinder, gentler, or at least more definitive terminology of what is being said:

“Biting off more than you can chew” – Orally extracting an amount of edible matter that exceeds what one is comfortably able to masticate.

“That’s a load of B.S.” – Your assertion reminds one of bovine excretion.

“Sh__faced” – Bearing an expression that one normally associates with the act of removing solid waste from the body.

“Can’t tell your ass from your elbow” – Unable to differentiate between your dorsal side orifice and the joint connecting your forearm and upper arm.

“Stepping in a pile of crap” – A pedestrian venture into an accumulation of animal or human waste.

“Go F-yourself” – Engage in the act of physical consummation with yourself.

“Up to your eyeballs in crap” – Finding yourself surrounded at the visual level by unpleasantly aromatic organic waste.

“Carnal knowledge” – Having a close encounter with another, free of garments and other impediments, leading to direct tactile stimulation.

A True Time Saver

Thank goodness for dysphemisms. In a most fundamental way, they are true time-savers. Without them, we’d be groping for tedious phrasing all day long. “Up your nose with a rubber hose,” if you don’t “catch my drift.”

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News

How to Trust God During Uncertain Times

God is in control of all things and that we can trust Him completely

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2023

Chris Widener

Want to Influence People Like Jesus Did? Click here to find out how!

Trusting God during uncertain times can be challenging, but it is essential for believers to lean on their faith and trust in God’s plan. As a Christian, I firmly believe that God is in control of all things and that we can find peace in His presence. In this article, we will explore ways to trust God during uncertain times and provide relevant scripture and quotes from famous pastors and Bible teachers.

Remember God’s Promises
God’s promises are true, and we can rely on them during times of uncertainty. The Bible is full of promises that God has made to His people. One such promise is found in Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When we trust in God’s promises, we can have hope and confidence in His plan for our lives.

Another promise is found in Philippians 4:6-7, which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When we give our worries and fears to God, He can replace them with peace and comfort.

Focus on God’s Character
When we focus on God’s character, we can trust Him more fully. The Bible tells us that God is loving, faithful, and just. In Psalm 145:13, we read, “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” When we remember that God is loving and faithful, we can trust Him to keep His promises.

Another important aspect of God’s character is His justice. In Romans 8:28, we read, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” God can use even the difficult times in our lives for His glory and our ultimate good.

Seek God’s Will
During uncertain times, it is essential to seek God’s will for our lives. When we trust in His plan, we can find peace and comfort. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” By seeking God’s will, we can have confidence that He will guide us in the right direction.

Want to Influence People Like Jesus Did? Click here to find out how!

Build Your Faith
One way to trust God during uncertain times is to build our faith. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” By reading the Bible and spending time in prayer, we can strengthen our faith and trust in God’s plan.

Connect with Others
During times of uncertainty, it is important to connect with others who share our faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” By connecting with other believers, we can find support and encouragement.

In closing, trusting God during uncertain times can be challenging, but it is possible. By remembering God’s promises, focusing on His character, seeking His will, building our faith, and connecting with others, we can trust in God’s plan for our lives. As the famous pastor Charles Stanley once said, “Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.” Let us trust in God every day during these uncertain times.