| IntroductionIt seems that thinkers, | | | | There is no denying that all of these |
| philosophers, social critics, and typically | | | | statistics debilitates the inmates from |
| anyone concerned with the plight of those who | | | | acquiring a legal job. Besides those who |
| must endure through misery and suffering, | | | | fall into the category of debilitated, what |
| usually make references to the poverty, | | | | can be said of those who are on an equal |
| oppression, and crime of those who must go | | | | level with others as far as legal employment |
| through a harder life. Throughout the ages, | | | | ability? It is in only one or two instances |
| the political leaders of a nation, whom have | | | | where the state minimum wage with a full time |
| been elected by their campaign funds or their | | | | job is enough to reach the poverty level. |
| birth rights, have always given great concern | | | | The fact that these individuals are not just |
| to ending crime. Murder, robbery, and rape | | | | randomly committing crimes, and that they are |
| have typically been regarded as the greatest | | | | in fact acting based on their conditions, is |
| crimes in society, each one created in its | | | | quite obvious. Of the 272,111 persons |
| own nature. Murder is the highest form of | | | | released from prisons in 15 States in 1994, |
| vengeance, and in societies where feuds and | | | | an estimated 67.5% were rearrested for a |
| arguments have been the general discourse, | | | | felony or serious misdemeanor within 3 years, |
| there will be this crime. While men and | | | | 46.9% were reconvicted, and 25.4% resentenced |
| women live together, they have often | | | | to prison for a new crime. [*1]The ultimate |
| neglected the articulate nature of science, | | | | cause of the Crimes of Greed is poverty. |
| art, and learning. Instead of decided to | | | | There is no premeditated motive based on |
| advance civilization, change the world, and | | | | disobedience to the law or disrespect for the |
| love each other, they have created war among | | | | law -- it is based on the ability to make |
| themselves, for their own reasons. Robbery | | | | wealth. The economy is the cause of crime. |
| itself is a crime that is as old as the | | | | This new realization actually throws |
| existence of property. Instead of deciding | | | | responsibility from the criminal to the heads |
| to increase their own wealth, by the labor of | | | | of the economy, or to those who sustain the |
| their hands, man decided to benefit from the | | | | economy. Tens of millions of Africans, for |
| reward of another man's hand. Rape itself | | | | instance, were born in poverty, because their |
| has been detested throughout all of Western | | | | ancestors were bondaged to slavery without |
| Europe, but it is only a recent phenomena | | | | the right to freedom. When an man of African |
| that the motive changed. For a great deal of | | | | descent commits a crime of theft, it may be |
| time, rape was simply regarded as expensive | | | | less linked to his disobedience than his |
| property damage. Finally when the people | | | | desire for food. And the same can be said of |
| realized that women are themselves capable of | | | | any man who commits a crime of greed. Though |
| independent thought, and a desire to express | | | | it is hardly deniable that poverty is the |
| and experience inner emotions, rape has been | | | | cause of these crimes of theft, is it |
| changed, from property damage to personal | | | | justified to state that the economy is the |
| assault. While the monarchs and elected | | | | cause of poverty? Any person who understand |
| officials of nations, and their countless | | | | basic economics cannot deny this. Capitalism |
| followers, have endeavored to offer their | | | | has allowed the most extreme wealth to a few |
| plans and ideas on ending crime, few have | | | | and the most extreme poverty to all. Workers |
| attempted to discover the cause of crime. It | | | | are paid only one tenth of the wealth they |
| has almost always been assumed that the | | | | create. [*3] The rest of the 90% of that |
| source of crime is a simple disobedience to | | | | wealth goes into the pockets of the |
| the law. It was only in the 20th century | | | | Capitalist class. If workers, in fact, were |
| that the Western world finally discovered | | | | paid all of the wealth that they labored to |
| that criminal activity was not in fact caused | | | | create, then their revenue would increase by |
| be a diseased brain. It still remains a | | | | tenfold -- this would mean they could still |
| doctrine of many of today's politicians and | | | | live in poverty only working 4 hours a week, |
| their supporters that crime in caused by | | | | or double what they are currently making by |
| savagery, an "evil" nature, or simply a | | | | working only 8 hours a week. More wealth to |
| disobedience to the law, and this view is | | | | those who create it, and less work time to |
| expressed in their speeches, their public | | | | the laborers who created all wealth.There |
| reports, and their communication with the | | | | are, of course, various interested players in |
| public.It is crime that I shall be | | | | the system of Capitalism. If the few are the |
| investigating within this paper. By crime, I | | | | oppressors, and the many are the oppressed, |
| mean a violation of either the laws or social | | | | why is it that a revolution has not come? |
| customs (new and old) in a society.A Profile | | | | The answer is simple: the oppressed are |
| of Crime in AmericaBefore continuing in this | | | | conditioned to believe that slavery is |
| piece, it is probably most important to first | | | | freedom. From the day a citizen can attend |
| note the most common types of crime that | | | | school, they are forced to by law, where they |
| occur within this nation. In state | | | | are taught nothing more than lies in an |
| penitentiaries, 49% were sentenced for a | | | | oppressive system that involves torture and |
| violent crime, 20% were sentenced for a | | | | abuse. Then the work experience comes where |
| property crime, and 21% were sentenced for a | | | | wage-slavery threatens people with starvation |
| drug crime (for the year 2000). In city | | | | if they do not succumb. The media has been |
| jails, a fourth were held for violent crimes, | | | | purchased by megacorporations and receives |
| a fourth were held for property crimes, and a | | | | grants from the government -- never is the |
| fifth were held for drug crimes (for the year | | | | truth wholly told. The government lied to |
| 1996). [*1] However, there are overlapping | | | | the public during the Vietnam War and in |
| crimes. Robbery, for instance, for something | | | | fact, few people know today that the war was |
| as small as a few dollars, may go | | | | an attempt to keep Vietnam as a colony of |
| unpersecuted, but the crime of assault or | | | | France -- the same reason why the colonies of |
| battery may end up with the suspect serving | | | | America revolted. The next secret war of the |
| several years. Offenders of violent crimes | | | | US Army is always around the corner, when the |
| had used a weapon in 46% of all robberies, as | | | | US imperialist government overthrows a |
| an example (for the year 2002). [*2] With | | | | democratically elected president and supports |
| that, I continue in my analysis.Crimes of | | | | their own dictator in South American nations. |
| GreedNature of the CrimeWhen I speak of | | | | Poverty has never existed in such |
| Crimes of Greed, I want it to be understood | | | | prevalence, except those nations touched by |
| that I am speaking of robbery, of mugging, of | | | | contemporary Capitalism, a fact that no |
| theft of property in any manner. The desire | | | | economist would be bold enough to refuse. |
| to steal property can be understood by all. | | | | The wars go on and the soldiers die thinking |
| It is but a human desire, one that exists | | | | that liberty is what they are fighting for, |
| inside all of us, to have the essentials of | | | | but when they find themselves in a foreign |
| life, such as food, shelter, and the like. | | | | land burning villages, only those who are |
| In fact, it is hardly human, and rather | | | | free in mind will say, "Is this really for |
| completely natural to all forms of life. | | | | liberty?" The next anti-Capitalism or |
| This instinct to gather the necessities, at | | | | anti-police brutality is met with rubber |
| all costs, is wholly normal. I am not | | | | bullets and pepper spray, as police officers |
| attempting to justify it, but rather, only | | | | brutalize and murder citizens -- and they |
| understand it. Humans, however, vary | | | | think that order is "people not being |
| somewhat than other creatures of this planet. | | | | outraged that 40% of the children here don't |
| For some of us, it is not enough to have | | | | have enough to eat." [*4] So when people |
| what is necessary to life. We must have | | | | express an anti-government opinion, they can |
| wealth, we must have financial security. A | | | | rest in prison cells while the president |
| loaf of bread every day while living in the | | | | delivers another address to the people, |
| smallest of apartments might very well meet | | | | arguing that invading and destroying another |
| the necessities. Yet, it is as much a dream | | | | country so we can exploit them for their |
| as it is a desire to think that one day, you | | | | cheap labor and resources is the same thing |
| can have luxury, and those things you've | | | | as independence. Because when people fight |
| always hoped for as a child. A loaf of bread | | | | back against their government, they are |
| and a cockroach infested apartment, sure, | | | | called "terrorists" -- and when a person |
| they may very well meet your necessities. | | | | expresses a revolutionary opinion, they are |
| But what about a television set? A CD | | | | called an "insurgent." The media publicizes |
| player? A DVD player? A stylish wardrobe? | | | | it and the people buy. From the first day, |
| A condominium? Maybe your own house? As I | | | | people are given the mindset that fighting |
| said, it is only human to want wealth and | | | | back is futile.Maybe a police officer will |
| possibly extravagance, or the idea that you | | | | think it's a lie that "liberty means shooting |
| are "well off" and need not worry about | | | | protestors." Maybe a soldier will think it's |
| financial insecurities. The instinct to | | | | a lie that "doing your duty means killing |
| obtain that what you need to survive can be | | | | civilians." Maybe a news reporter will think |
| found in all life forms and the desire to | | | | it's a deception that they refuse to cover |
| become wealthy and even recognized is closer | | | | the stories of soldiers executing civilians. |
| to the human species, though I wouldn't be | | | | Tom Hurndall was shot in the head by an |
| surprised if similar desires were found in | | | | Israeli police officer during a peaceful |
| the other creatures of this world.The | | | | protest. All of the major news networks |
| instinct for survival and desire of wealth | | | | refused to carry the story. [*5] He was |
| are apparent parts of human society and have | | | | protesting the destruction of a home with |
| found themselves expressed in culture. The | | | | bulldozers by a government that oppressed |
| question now is, what are the methods by | | | | Palestinians. The other 2,500 deaths of |
| which people go about procuring these | | | | refugees, protestors, and political |
| desires? Primarily, there are two methods: | | | | dissidents went uncovered. Carlo Giuliani |
| legal employment and criminal activity (or, | | | | was shot in the head by Italian police while |
| Crimes of Greed, "Property Crimes"). On | | | | protesting Capitalism. [*6] Because today, |
| behalf of legal employment, one must first | | | | struggling to be free has been labeled as |
| understand that this hardly signifies | | | | "anarchy and terrorism," because a movement |
| something worthy, just, or virtuous. The | | | | for and by the people is the equivalent of a |
| officials of the Nazi army were well-paid and | | | | "terror cell." Why talk about the deaths of |
| well-respected -- and despite the fact that | | | | innocent civilians at the hands of police and |
| it may have been their task to persecute | | | | soldiers, when we can raise enough support |
| those of the Jewish ethnicity, they were | | | | for another war?Out of sight. Out of mind. |
| legally employed. So, too, were the Roman | | | | The police and soldiers take on the |
| soldiers, whose task it was to invade foreign | | | | "insurgent" masses while the media convinces |
| lands with the intent to rob and plunder. | | | | the rest that slavery is freedom. Life, |
| Only a nominal difference took place when | | | | |
| American soldiers are sent world wide, to | | | | PunkerslutResources*1. U.S. Department of |
| raid countries like Vietnam, Haiti, | | | | Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau |
| Guatemala, Cambodia, Colombia, or others. | | | | of Justice Statistics. Criminal Offender |
| Millions of lives taken and thousands of | | | | Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, |
| homes burned to the ground, all under the | | | | Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice |
| banner of legal employment, but not only | | | | Statistics. Crime Characteristics, The |
| legal employment, but a job that was | | | | mining industry made 174.5 billion in 1997 |
| respected by society and honored by the | | | | and paid its workers only 20.9 billion -- |
| government.These are the two options for a | | | | each worker was paid 12% of the wealth they |
| human being's natural inclinations of wealth: | | | | produced. The construction industry made |
| legal employment, and the alternative, the | | | | 834.8 billion and paid its workers 171.0 |
| alternative going by the title of "crime." | | | | billion -- each worker was paid 20% of the |
| Of those who commit crime, statistics show | | | | wealth they produced. The manufacturing |
| that their ability to generate revenue | | | | industry made 3,958.1 billion and paids its |
| through legal employment is deficient. In | | | | workers 595.7 billion -- each worker was paid |
| federal and state prisons, 63% percent of | | | | 15% of the wealth they produced. The |
| jail inmates belonged to racial or ethnic | | | | transportation and public utilities industry |
| minorities in 1996. [*1] The importance of | | | | made 1,143.9 billion and paid its workers |
| this statistic is the history of racila and | | | | 199.7 billion -- each worker was paid 17% of |
| ethnic minorities. Less than two hundred | | | | the wealth they produced. The wholesale trade |
| years ago, the African race was released from | | | | industry made 4,235.4 billion and paid its |
| the bondage of slavery, only to be given | | | | workers 234.5 billion -- each worker was paid |
| unequal conditions and poverty. Only some | | | | 5% of the wealth they produced. The retail |
| decades ago did they really achieve social, | | | | trade industry made 2,545.9 billion and paids |
| political, or economic equality in | | | | its workers 290.5 billion -- each worker was |
| opportunity -- and still, even though the | | | | paid 11% of the wealth they produced. The |
| opportunity is present, they are in the thick | | | | finance, insurance, and real estate industry |
| sand of poverty. A black family, with two | | | | made 2,474.9 billion and paid its workers |
| parents working minimum wage, will have a | | | | 308.2 billion -- each worker was paid 12% of |
| harder time sending their children to a | | | | the wealth they produced. The services |
| university, than a white family, with two | | | | (taxable firms only) industry made 1,843.8 |
| parents working middle class jobs. And then | | | | billion and paid its workers 688.9 billion -- |
| consider the plight of the Native Americans. | | | | each worker was paid 37% of the wealth they |
| They owned the land and the resources that | | | | produced. [Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1997 |
| make up virtually all property in this nation | | | | Economic Census, Comparative Statistics, Core |
| -- and it was stolen. In prisons, | | | | Business Stastitics Series, EC97X-C52, issued |
| altogether, an estimated 57% of inmates had a | | | | June 2000.]*4. UNICEF, State of the World's |
| high school diploma or its equivalent. [*1] | | | | Children Report, 2003.*5. "Not again": |
| And, indeed, there is no denying that lack of | | | | Eyewitness Joe Smith writes about the |
| a high school diploma will prevent | | | | shooting of Tom Hurndall. Joe Smith, The |
| acceleration, either with money-making | | | | Electronic Intifada, 12 April 2003*6. The G8 |
| ability or job opportunities.Nationally, in | | | | summit in Genoa, Italy, 7/21/01.Punkerslut |
| local jails, over a third of all inmates | | | | (or Andy Carloff) has been writing essays and |
| reported some physical or mental disability. | | | | poetry on social issues which have caught his |
| Altogether, only 54% of inmates had a high | | | | attention for several years. His website |
| school diploma or its equivalent. Thirty-six | | | | provides a complete list of all of these |
| of all inmates were not employed during the | | | | writings. His life experience includes |
| month before they were arrested for their | | | | homelessness, squating in New Orleans and LA, |
| current offense. A quarter of the jail | | | | dropping out of high school, getting expelled |
| inmates said they had been treated at some | | | | from college for "subversive activities," and |
| time for a mental or emotional problem. [*1] | | | | a myriad of other revolutionary actions. |