The Morality of Going to Jail

[Mark_W]

here's a little thing I typed up partially inspired by Henry George and Tolstoy. I would love to get any feedback if anyone wishes to comment.


The Morality of Going to Jail
“The equal right of all men to the use of land is as clear as their equal right to breathe the air—it is a right proclaimed by the fact of their existence. For we cannot suppose that some men have a right to be in this world and others no right.” –Henry George

"Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a
just man is also a prison." --Thoreau

One reason why going to jail seems to be the most honorable and reasonable course of action is the issue of land injustice. This reason naturally presented itself to me since it concerns my, and every individual’s, life and subsistence in this world. And wishing to get my living in a simple, respectable way, such as farming, I was surprised to find how complex this matter really is and how obvious (yet often ignored) the injustice around it is. As Henry George says: “How can a man be said to have a country where he has no right to a square inch of soil; where he has nothing but his hands, and, urged by starvation, must bid against his fellows for the privilege of using them?” Especially the part “...must bid against his fellows...”, this is something which I cannot in good conscience do since obviously my gain will be someone else’s loss. This puts each of us in a bind where we feel like we either have to go along with this corruption and compete against each other, or die. The root cause of poverty and economic injustice (which is responsible for the majority of social ills) revolves around this issue of the land not being fairly handled. Strange that this problem has gone on for so long that it no longer seems a problem or an injustice to many, but seems quite natural and seems to be the way things have to be. They will say at most “I see the injustice, but reform in this area is hopelessly impractical”. I agree that this problem has been neglected for so long that nobody thinks about it anymore, but this does not change the injustice of it, and this ignoring of the problem and fighting more easily won battles for social justice, could be seen as treating the symptoms of a disease without treating the cause. And wouldn’t the only truly practical course of action be to treat the cause first. However it will be justly argued that the cause of this injustice is even deeper than this, and lies in the lack of a moral/religious sentiment among the general population. And how better to speak to this than with both actions and words? And since I am only responsible for my actions and beliefs, I cannot ignore this land issue as it presents itself to me. And so going to jail seems like the most powerful way to place my whole weight against this problem, and the only way to legitimately stand aloof from contributing in the corruption. It would say to our government, “There is no place for simple people, who want to get their living in a simple, natural way, because this option has been taken away from them, and not because it was necessary, but because of laws that support inequality and exploitation.” I have no delusions about this problem being fixed within any certain time frame, as effort and inspiration will no doubt be the rate limiting factors, nor can I know for certain whether I can change anyone’s mind about it, as open-mindedness is the main factor, but is it not our duty to try? I will ask, what else are we to do, ignore it?
Other issues worthy of extreme action include general prison injustice and war. In this country, the government and the general consensus of the public believe in returning evil for evil, in punishment. I unfortunately used to hold this same belief, but have now come to regard it as not only immoral but also irrational. I have come to the decision that the truly reasonable way of dealing with evil in the world is with love, as I contend that evil cannot be driven out by evil, and that violence ultimately only begets more violence. I am not alone in these beliefs as they could even be deemed common sense, but in their practical application there seems to not be much interest, or at least a great deal of confusion. When our brothers and sisters are treated like caged animals and are punished for the crimes they commit, we teach them violence. Violence and punishment are incompatible with moral regeneration (which should be our aim for everyone). Taking a stand against this injustice and doing something about it, rather than simply saying something, seems like the most honorable thing to do. Indeed if we all said to this system, “If you are going to treat others with such hostility, then you can do the same to me, an otherwise law abiding citizen.” This brutality would stop or at least lessen. With regard to war, I would rather be openly against a government which is sending our brothers and sisters to kill and be killed in the ongoing war. And since only actions can speak to institutions effectively, my dissent would most strongly be expressed by going to jail. If they say that our “freedom” comes from these wars, then my belief is that they can have our “freedom”, our mental freedom and dignity are worth more.


Several possible objections and their answers:
Doing this would be wasting your life.
In fact doing anything else would be wasting my life. If I care about living honestly, and not conveniently ignoring this injustice after my attention has already been brought to the matter, it would seem cowardly not to act accordingly.

I know you are trying not to be a burden on others, but going to jail you will be a burden on society.
This would be true, if I wanted their support (via taxes). I do not want others to burden themselves with paying for me to do anything, I would like them to do the same thing I would be doing, and also not cooperate with an unjust government. Just because they choose to pay their taxes (the biggest part of which goes to fund war), does not mean that I want them to. I believe that everyone would be better off if they didn’t. I have no problem with taxes that may be used to benefit society, but we have a responsibility to make sure we are not funding injustice in the process.

Why don’t you move away to somewhere where you wouldn’t have to “bid” against anyone and work on a farm or doing something that needed workers?
To do this I would have to ignore this injustice and implicitly comply with the injustice by going off to be nothing less than an indentured servant to whoever “owned” the land. It would be his or her favor to me to let me work on his or her land and why would I set up any kind of living arrangement, (say build a house), when I could be ordered off the land at any time? You are essentially a slave to whoever’s land you are on, no matter how well they treat you, and if they wanted to they could cut off your sustenance, and would feel that they had the right to do so under our current land laws. Also I was born here, so I do feel a responsibility to the land where I was born not to abandon it and let the corruption grow worse. Running away and doing nothing about this problem would again be cowardly.

What are you suggesting instead of the current land laws and their injustice?
There have been several more fair solutions brought up for the people who like legislation. However I’m not very interested in solving problems through legislation, since I believe that when people are good enough to change the laws they will be good enough to abide by them on their own. As they say, “good people don’t need laws and bad people don’t obey them”. I realize this is an oversimplification, since most people simply follow laws assuming they are just, but this is besides the point. I only know for certain that I should be guided by my conscience and if I will share the land with others and work in a cooperative way, then I know there are others who will too, but this can’t be done until land injustice is corrected and this comes from public awareness and consensus. Again I don’t expect this to happen within any given time frame, but this doesn’t change my duty regarding being part of the solution rather than part of the problem, so as to speed up this progress anyway I can.

Why don’t you wait for the majority of people to go along with these ideas? Vote for a good candidate in the next election, take this route rather than the impossible one.
First of all, how is the majority to even become aware of this injustice, if people aren’t willing to self-sacrifice a little for it? Think of all the people who had to self-sacrifice before slavery was finally abolished. Think of how many people had to be jailed before that injustice was rectified. Regarding voting for the “good” candidate, Ammon Hennacy says it best “A good man is worse than a bad man for he finds a good reason for doing a bad thing that a bad man couldn’t figure out, so he lends his goodness to evil. The devil doesn’t have horns, he has a halo as big as a hoop....A good man cannot get any legislation passed or enforced unless he plays ball with the bad men who have a head start on him and surround him”. Also this is not touching the source of the problem, because our political leaders are only representatives of the aggregate moral sentiment of the people, and so the people must change first before we can expect their representatives to change. I would encourage everyone not to vote for the lesser of two evils, but to stand up for justice.

[sawyer]

Food and wood are under-valued in the US because of the global market. The land on which it grows is inflated by the housing market. Our government should get its focus back on what's important in our country, instead of looking for specks of problems to solve overseas. Loggers could use some subsidies here just as in other countries.

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by Mark_W

The Morality of Going to Jail
“The equal right of all men to the use of land is as clear as their equal right to breathe the air—it is a right proclaimed by the fact of their existence. For we cannot suppose that some men have a right to be in this world and others no right.” –Henry George

"Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a
just man is also a prison." --Thoreau

One reason why going to jail seems to be the most honorable and reasonable course of action is the issue of land injustice.

Fascinating topic that you've raised Mark. I remember what first prodded me to take the risk of being jailed. I was at the trial of the Catonsville 9 some 30+ years ago (in the midst of the VN war). As a Black Panther spokesman spoke, he said something about how most of us thought that the Panthers were just a bunch of criminals and then asked us, "my question to you is when you are living in a land waging criminal wars against the people, how can you in good conscience stay out of jail"? Within a month I had taken part in my first civil disobedience. The question is still applicable (maybe even more so) today in the midst of the Iraqi War.

But I don't think the purpose is ever to go to jail, just to go to jail, but to help people comprehend how their lives impact the lives of third world and poor people. Everything we have is paid for by those who have so much less than we do. We Americans, (approximately 15% of the world's population) consume 85% of the world's resources.

I think a more progressive and sustaining idea rather than just going to jail to go to jail, is to take a personal vow of simplicity, and to raise these issues with our friends and loved ones. Making a commitment to systematically reduce our own desire for things we really don't need, but have been taught to want from all the materialistic advertising that we are exposed to may be a much more powerful and successful action. The Catholic Worker movement has raised these issues for some 70+ years or so. Where to start? Try googling "simple living," and you'll find all sorts of resources and ideas about how to cut our dependency on what is unnecessary, not to mention dehumanizing. Of course, here I sit at my computer (something only about 15% of the world's population can afford)........

There are times when going to jail makes sense (at least to me) and when staying outside and fighting from within our system makes sense. It is very hard to get the message out from jails and prisons, let me tell you. I strongly believe in the power of "witness." And even more so, I find St. Francis of Assisi's wonderful quote, "preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words." Our actions will always speak much more than any eloquence that might come out of our mouths. One of the things I did at my own church a couple of years ago was have an ongoing discussion group on "The Spirituality of $$$$." It was small but a very challenging discussion. It helped me see just how differently each of us may proceed in our commitment to living simply.

I'd love to see this discussion continue. It raises the issue of living within paradoxes as well as not following a "purist" position that leaves us feeling vindicated because we think our "hands are not dirty." What is the balance seems to be a good question? Also an understanding that no two people will follow the same exact path. There is a thread that was running several months ago on simple living, check it out, you might find it interesting.

Kara

[ladyinred]

I've often written about excess, but not only does it affect the lives of the poor but the wellbeing of our planet.. as resources are dwindled and squandered often to satisfy the lust and greed of multi national corporations and consumers, we may be doing untold irreversible damage to this planet... in the future , we may be fighting other nations to compete for food. I've read about the rainforrests and how they are being dwindled and depleted .. they not only provide up to 20% of the oxygen on this planet , but have a profound effect on the climate and many other things.Overfishing in our oceans is also upsetting the biodiversity and the ecosystem and is depleting more resources and the food chain and food supply. In reality we are already competing and fighting for resources. After all we want "their oil." what does the bible say about you shall not covet again?

[ladyinred]

Actually a computer is a good conservation tool for me. I can read news online and I don't have to buy a newspaper, I can also find cheap entertainment as well, like listening to music online... I can write to friends and others and save on envelopes and stamps, I know many people don't have a computer but to me it can sure simplify my life. I'm not much of a tv watcher but prefer other sources like reading , writing, listening to music or chatting with friends or even writing congressmen about issues which are important to me...I often like learn about new things or become more informed about certain subjects and a computer does those things as well.

[BronzDragon]

Originally Posted by Mark_W

The Morality of Going to Jail
“The equal right of all men to the use of land is as clear

» Thom says: ☛ Might I offer one more quote for your consumption?

Passive submission to brutality is a mortal sin.
Warlock Thomas Potter (SatyaGrahi Proverb.)

[ladyinred]

You also make valid points about wars and other countries. The Iraq war is a poignant reminder of the costs not only in terms of US casualities and money, but to the Iraqi people as well. My dad was a Vietnam vet, after reading about the Vietnam war and it's long term effects on troops and their families and the Vietnamese people, you have to wonder, was it really worth it.. Our family suffered as well, because my dad was not the same after he came back form Vietnam. Often people don't look at the larger picture and seeing the long term damage that is being done to both sides ,Iraq and America.. I personally don't support any war unless it is a matter of self defense and no other resolution is possible and only as a last resort. (meaning we have no other options)Too many lives hang in the balance.. Ideally peaceful resolution is the best option and is profitable for all involved.. But to understand more fully the costs of wars and what is really happening in terms of US policy toward the Middle East, I've enclosed this link..http://www.omnicenter.org/warpeace.htm

[ladyinred]

You might be interested in this article about civilian casualities in wars. It really made me stop and think ...I have an interest in peace orgs, and have written to Code Pink and also subscribe to their news letters as well as WANDS. And they often get labelled pro commie and alot of unflattering names.. But , if people were open-minded enough to listen to what they were saying they might learn a thing or two.. I add this article by Ron Paul who talks about the ultimate costs of war as well.(It is excellent)http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/co...6/cr062906.htm
Some of Mister Paul's statements in this article:
Those accused are quick to respond to the insulting charges made by those who want to fight on forever without regard to casualties. Proponents of the war do not hesitate to challenge the manhood of war critics, accusing them of wanting to cut and run. Some war supporters ducked military service themselves while others fought and died, only adding to the anger of those who have seen battle up close and now question our campaign in Iraq.
We must move quickly toward a more traditional American foreign policy of peace, friendship, and trade with all nations; entangling alliances with none. We must reject the notion that we can or should make the world safe for democracy. We must forget about being the world’s policeman. We should disengage from the unworkable and unforgiving task of nation building. We must reject the notion that our military should be used to protect natural resources, private investments, or serve the interest of any foreign government or the United Nations. Our military should be designed for one purpose: defending our national security. It’s time to come home now, before financial conditions or military weakness dictates it.

The major obstacle to a sensible foreign policy is the fiction about what patriotism means. Today patriotism has come to mean blind support for the government and its policies. In earlier times patriotism meant having the willingness and courage to challenge government policies regardless of popular perceptions.

Today we constantly hear innuendos and direct insults aimed at those who dare to challenge current foreign policy, no matter how flawed that policy may be. I would suggest it takes more courage to admit the truth, to admit mistakes, than to attack others as unpatriotic for disagreeing with the war in Iraq.

Remember, the original American patriots challenged the abuses of King George, and wrote and carried out the Declaration of Independence.

Omni Center the costs of war:
http://www.omnicenter.org/warpeaceco...nsequences.htm

[ladyinred]

Some interesting points made, and many of which I see are valid.. I hope you will also read the articles I recommended in above messages for Kara.