Not all crooks need be jailed

The article, "Judges consider price of prison" (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 19) offers a way to have nonviolent criminals pay us for their crimes rather than us paying for prisons.

When judges know the price of incarceration, it triggers the question: Isn’t there a way to punish this individual at a tiny fraction of prison cost by having him contribute to society?

Instead of jailing Michael Vick, have him pay $1 million to the Georgia Humane Society. Paris Hilton can give $1 million to put disadvantaged kids into charter schools.

Locally, thieves caught breaking into tourists’ cars can help set up "bait car" stings to nab their fellow robbers. Drug abusers can wear ankle bracelets and spend hundreds of hours in community service.

Society wins when criminals give back to their victims. Society wins by not paying for criminals’ room and board.

Military denies gays equal rights

The U.S. Senate, in blocking the outright repeal of the military’s "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy, denies the worthiness of all gay and lesbian citizens to serve in the armed forces. However, in so doing, it revealed the consensus of the chamber: There shall be no repeal until the chamber receives the outcome of a survey of service members on the issue.

Conversely, there is no survey of the service members to justify the blanket prejudice currently imposed that enforces the belief that citizens are unworthy to serve in the armed forces solely because of their sexual orientation.

Therefore, President Barack Obama has the obligation to defend the constitutional rights of all citizens. He must order his commanders to cease the enforcement of any religious premise that denies citizens their equal right to serve their country.

Getting elected implies contract

Gaining public office is a de facto contract with the public to execute the elected office to the best of one’s ability.

With this contract comes an implicit understanding that a candidate will serve the duration of the term.

Since it would be imprudent and impractical to force elected officials to serve the duration of their term, it would be wiser to expect them to fund the repercussions of their actions. Elected officials who abandon one office in pursuit of another should be legally bound to pay for all special election costs.

Primary ballot was confusing

I, and a lot of others I spoke to, found this year’s primary ballot confusing. I know the format was new but it would be helpful to be able to see an actual ballot prior going into the polling booth.

How about printing a sample ballot in the newspaper a few days prior to the general election? Voters would have time to look over the ballot, mark their selections and make more informed decisions.

Shriver Day stands for respect

Tomorrow (Sept. 25) will mark the first annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day, which honors the late founder of Special Olympics and her life’s dedication fighting for the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

I had the honor to know and work with Shriver personally. She was a trailblazer who sought equality, acceptance and unity for all, as well as a dedicated visionary who stood up for those born with intellectual disabilities, worked to break down barriers and change the negative perception of them in communities around the world for more than five decades.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day is a global call for all of us to become agents of action and work to educate others about Shriver’s legacy of unity.

In her memory, I humbly ask you to join us in the celebration of the inspirational, impactful and indomitable spirit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver tomorrow — whether it’s taking the Spread the Word to End the Word pledge to eliminate the use of the "R" word, or simply having a family discussion about treating all people with respect and dignity.

She didn’t just change the world for people with intellectual disabilities; she changed the world for all of us.