Action from George Orwell

 In chapter 3 of Burmese Days by George Orwell (1934), there are bits of dialogue from Flory, the Englishman who ended up in Burma, and Dr. Veraswami, one of his best friends.  Flory is always acentuating the negatives of the British empire and civilization, and Dr.  Veraswami is always saying great things about the British empire.

Here’s the dialogue: “And in any case, whom is it pax ((peace)) for?  The money lender and the lawyer.  Of course, we keep the peace in   India, in our own interest, but what does this law and order business boil down to?  More banks and more prisons—That’s all it means.  “  (Flory speaking).

Flory then talks about the British, his fellow countrymen.

“I see them as a kind of up-to-date, hygienic, self-satisfied louse.  Creeping round the world building prisons.  They build a prison and call it progress, “ he added rather regretfully.”   (Burmese Days, 1934).

Remember, Orwell is a socialist.  But be big, and consider what he says.  After civilizing territory, especially in the U.S., what do we have?

Banks and prisons?  This is considered progress.  Prisons are a huge problem in our country.  Incarceration rate in Minnesota in 2016 was 380 people per 100,000 adults.  In South Dakota, 2016, the rate was 880 per 100,000 adults!  Such a huge difference!  More than twice as many per capital in jail in South Dakota than there is in Minnesota.  Why?  The laws and the justice system hone in and incarcerate more people in South Dakota than all surrounding states, per capita.

Is it really great to put more people in jail per capita than Minnesota and Iowa?  No.  It is a failure in our legal system, built by legislators.

We have banks and prisons here.  Are we really getting more prosperous and free every day?

I would tend to agree with Orwell on some points.  We will be a greater society in our state when we stop punishing nonviolent offenders so harshly.  We will be greater also, when banks lean forward more and actively help people save, and invest better in all the ways we can.  Having extra thousands of people in prison due to extra harsh laws is not the way there.  Over-incarcerating is not the road to prosperity for everyone.

For capitalism to work better, more people have to be free.  It’s that simple.  The laws have to be changed.

Dream big!

Vote Libertarian!
Vote for Alex Martin, District 20, State Senate!

Thank you very much!

Paid for and authorized by Alexander Martin, Box 231, Mitchell SD  57301




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