Is anyone watching Al Sharpton? He just had a section regarding some very influential Rs who

[jwirr]

are going to help reform the prison system to reduce incarceration. First they get rid of the flag and not prison reform. Am I hallucinating? What is going on. I feel like I am on an alien planet.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I think they're worried that there might be a backlash election in 2016.

So they want to head things off at the pass a bit, to retain control of Congress.

[jwirr]

8. I think you are correct. Norquist was one of them. Can't remember the other name. I was so

shocked that I was stunned. This is exactly what most of us progressives want to happen and now somehow we have to expose them without losing the war.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. They are reaping the fruits of the 8 yrs of tyranny they reveled in , to the point they need 15

canidates, it's just an image ploy on their part .

[jwirr]

10. Do you think presenting a bill in congress and calling their bluff would expose their real selves?

[orpupilofnature57]

12. Yes, They're experts at disconnect, tactics are all they know .

[sufrommich]

3. They're trying to erase their carefully crafted image as

the party of angry white people now that it's costing them. It's not going to work as easily as they imagine it will,they've been nurturing that image since Lee Atwater got Reagan elected using the southern strategy,it will still be there in November of 2016.

[jwirr]

6. I agree - my first reaction was distrust. Complete distrust.

[orpupilofnature57]

13. + 1000 !!!

[uponit7771]

21. +1

[bravenak]

4. They need to pretend that this was all the Democrats' fault.

[jwirr]

15. I'm sure that will be their next line.

[yeoman6987]

31. They are already screaming that a Democratic governor put up the flag

Up in the first place. They are so delusional. Just like they say all discrimation was Democratic Party in the 50-60's. They are void of historical knowledge. It is a shame they are so uneducated and wants the rest of the country that way.

[bravenak]

32. Delusional is right.

[randys1]

5. Rand Paul is big on this reform of unfair incarceration. The same way a concentration camp owner

aka plantations, would show some affection for their slaves from time to time.

I think when Rachel nailed his ass on the Civil Rights act, he has been hurting ever since looking for a way to make up for that without doing the right thing.

[Wilms]

7. For some reason the Koch Bros. are asking about reform.

Look at question #2 at this link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/06/18/scoop-25-questions-the-koch-brothers-want-every-2016-candidate-to-answer/

[orpupilofnature57]

16. The Democrat Candidates probably would have some idea what they would do, Republicans

would go to the Karl Rove hand book and all give the same lengthy answer that would entail passing the TPP.

[avebury]

9. I'll take a wait and see attitude. Private prisons

are a big money industry.

[global1]

11. Maybe They Found Out It's Not As Lucrative As They Thought And They.....

aren't making that much money. Just a thought.

[avebury]

14. I know for state facilities it sucks.

They are so understaffed that the guards in Oklahoma routinely work overtime and have a hard time finding the time to take their earned annual leave. A couple of years ago, the State Legislature explored the idea of allowing them to sell back some of their leave since it built up faster then they could take it and there is a ceiling where you hit a use it or lose it stage.

[Spazito]

17. If Grover Norquist is involved...

I am very cynical given his goal, his only real goal, imo, "My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."

[jwirr]

18. Yeah he was talking about the money. Naturally.

[Spazito]

19. Yep, he couldn't care less about those imprisoned, he's upset at the cost...

to taxpayers. If it could be done 'cost effectively' he would be silent, at best, on the subject. He wants a reduction in the number of prisoners, not because the justice system is corrupt and many currently in prison shouldn't be there, it's all about the cost.

Real prison reform needs to happen and if the repubs can be brought on board, even if it is about the almighty dollar with them, good things might actually happen. I hope so.

[jwirr]

22. I think we should strike while the iron is hot. They are talking about it now. Let one of our

progressive congress persons introduce a bill and get it voted on. Either way we win. If they will go along with it and it gets passed great. If it does not then the ball is back in their court.

[Spazito]

24. Exactly, a bill that inacts real reform including changes within the justice system...

a bill that addresses the racial biases within the current system and how it unfairly targets people of color and the poor.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. The thing is, we Negroes are smarter than ReThugs! We know what they're trying to do.

[jwirr]

23. Believe me I was also thinking that.

[Glassunion]

26. Correction...

It's "KneeGrows".

[Glassunion]

25. Well...

[Renew Deal]

27. Prison reform is a fiscal issue.

[merrily]

28. Turns out imprisoning half of America is expensive, esp. if you privatize prisons.

Once Republicans finally, really got this, they were all over it.

[jwirr]

29. Yes, that is why I was so stunned.

[PowerToThePeople]

30. Third way gave them the opportunity

to be the ones to do the right thing. Bad news for us.