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by reportingsjr 485 days ago
> We could "solve" the problem like Singapore or China (some of these 'many countries'), and simply throw everyone in jail for petty crimes.

This clearly isn’t true, as the US has a per capita prison population four to five times that of China & Singapore! We jail far, far more people than they do.
2 comments
carlosjobim 485 days ago
Why do you count "per capita" when it should be counted "per crime"? Per capita means nothing for this argument.
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Aunche 484 days ago
You're right, but progressives treat crime statistics as dog whistles for racism, which to be fair isn't uncommon. However, you can make a very similar "woke" argument. Much of crime is caused by centuries of systemic racism that Singapore and China never experienced, so you can't do an apple to apple comparison between incarcerations per capita.

Overall, Singapore and China are significantly more willing to sacrifice freedom in exchange for security. There is more surveillance and no trial by jury, for example.

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_DeadFred_ 484 days ago
US Police have qualified immunity, protecting them from their actions against the people, Singapore's Police don't. Who's sacrificing their morals in exchange for security?
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Aunche 484 days ago
What gives you the idea that police in Singapore don't have qualified immunity? It sounds like you're treating it as a buzzword. The police anywhere are not liable for the actions they take as part of their job.
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_DeadFred_ 483 days ago
The fact that police in Singapore only have qualified immunity when serving warrants/etc.

Qualified immunity was made up the United States Supreme Court in the 1960s. It is a buzzword.

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robswc 485 days ago
It could simply be that more people in China and Singapore are afraid to commit crimes. Their prison sentences and punishments are much worse. In 2022, they executed 11 people, the US executed 18. The US has a ~50x larger population.

I'm not even saying the solution is more/harsher policing. I'm saying it is a solution that seemingly works.

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johnnyanmac 485 days ago
It could also be that they didn't governmental distribute drugs to their population with the purpose of mass arresting for petty crimes. So half their criminal population aren't just in for smoking pit.
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11101010001100 485 days ago
This is speculation, the parent replied with statistics.
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