Ordinary Americans Face Harsh Justice, While Powerful Enjoy Christmas at Home

By · Saturday, December 13th, 2008

In 1987, I was 23-years-old. That was the year I was arrested. I did not have more than a high school education then, and I had made some bad decisions. To earn an income, I wrongfully joined a group of friends and acquaintances to sell cocaine. We distributed cocaine to consenting adults only, and we did not engage in the use of weapons or violence. Federal authorities charged me with crimes and a jury rightfully convicted me. I have been locked in prison since that arrest.

Despite what was then my naivete regarding the criminal justice system, a judge imposed a sentence of 45 years. The government acknowledged that, as only consenting adults were involved, my crime did not have a single victim. Yet a severe sentence was necessary to promote respect for our nation’s drug laws. Recent events suggest an irony at such hypocritical assertions.

Over the past few months, for example, we have seen that a federal jury convicted Senator Ted Stevens of unfairly enriching himself by exploiting his power as a federal lawmaker. Clearly, the Senator has more than a high school education. American voters entrusted him with the power to look after their interests, yet the Senator made every American taxpayer a victim when he abused that power and tarnished the reputation of our government. Despite his criminal convictions, Ted Stevens remains home to enjoy the holidays with his family.

Earlier this week, a second example, a federal prosecutor made international headlines when he ordered the arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich from the State of Illinois. As most every American now knows, the government has tape recordings of the Governor’s profane and patently offensive efforts to sell a seat in the United States Senate to the highest bidder.

Governor Blagojevich has a law degree and extensive experience as the Chief Executive of a state, as well as a former legislator. Every citizen in America is a victim of the crime for which the Governor was charged. Yet as a 23-year-old uneducated offender, who sold cocaine to consenting adults, I was held to a higher standard than the people who make laws. Ironically, the Governor continues to retain his power as the head of Illinois.

Last night, I saw yet another example that shows the corruption of power in our country. Bernard Madoff, a former Chairman of the NASDAQ’s Board of Directors was charged with running a Ponzi scheme that swallowed a staggering $50 billion. Government agencies had received repeated warnings that suggested Madoff’s fraud, yet his powerful position persuaded those agencies to ignore his theft. As a consequence of Madoff’s financial crime spree that lasted for years and made real victims of hundreds of unsuspecting trusting investors, that powerful criminal remains free on bond, enjoying the spoils of his riches, while he employs legal machinations to delay his confinement.

I am about to pass through my 22nd consecutive Christmas holiday in prison because of the bad decisions I made during the recklessness of youth. I was locked in prison when my father passed away, and I am denied sufficient telephone privileges to speak with my aging mother, and my sisters. My wife struggles through life without my presence. Whereas I started serving my time in my early 20s, release is not scheduled until I am nearly age 50.

The rich and powerful, the leaders in society who should have known better, face sanctions that are an insult to justice and are offensive to the millions of ordinary citizens who struggle through harsh, unforgiving laws. We need prison reform that will bring fairness to all, including those without connections and power.

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