Because the other kinds of crime don’t affect people

Campaigns in general are very expensive. A lot of money is needed in order to sell your product and usually those who support your cause will be nice enough to share their wealth.

This past December Billionaire Henry Nicholas donated $1 Million in favor of the Safe Neighborhood Act. His large donation, however, is tainted by the fact that he was indicted this summer on three accounts.

Nicholas was not accused of gang violence or recruitment, however he was indicted on fraud, drug and conspiracy charges.

Often, when unfavorable charges such as these arise, recipients of the money apologize and return the money. To my surprise, this did not occur. Instead Senator Runner said that “the crimes that he's accused of are not the kinds of things we're dealing with."

True, the prop is specific with who it aims to target, however, this does not mean that other crimes are acceptible and should be condoned because they are committed off the streets and in upscale social settings.

Nicholas was indicted on a drug account, including keeping sited for cocaine distribution. This apparently did not bother Runner. Clearly these crimes do not affect others and do not contribute to other forms of crime. It is obvious that Runner believes that as long as the cocaine is used and distributed from away from the streets, it is not as significant and impactful as it otherwise would be.


It appears as though this proposition will only reduce crime by targeting certain demographics and will not reduce crime overall. I do not think this is a conspiracy or maliciously done, but in this respect, it is as if unless a crime is gang-related, it does not affect the lives of others.


Check more on this at
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-crime16-2008oct16,0,6239851.story

Rothfeld, Michael. "Indicted donor's $1 million to Prop. 6 campaign causes sparks." Los Angeles Times October 16, 2008: