Hoisted by their own petard
This is somewhat of a sad story – but it really makes me want to laugh!
In Oregon, like most states, there has been a big push to cover for revenues that have slacked off because of the recession. Â Paying for things like a District Attorney is something that people don’t really think of that highly. Â Hell, only 29% of people in a recent survey consider lawyers to be a “popular” subject (as opposed to our do-nothing Congress, that comes in at 9% in that same survey). Â I mean, who needs a District Attorney?
Uh, WE DO! Â DUH!
The people of Josephine County, Oregon, found themselves in a bit of a budget hole when a Federal timber study expired. Â And as the case happened, the issue went to the voters – who voted down raising their taxes to help pay for things like the District Attorney’s office. Â And what was the result? Â Crime has skyrocketed, while convictions have plummeted.
Again, DUH!
Grants Pass, Oregon saw their crime rate from burglaries go up 50%, whereas the rest of the county went up 45%. Â At the same time, prosecutions went down 42%. Â And the DA’s office went from nine lawyers down to four.
I guess people would rather sit at home and watch Law & Order rather than actually deal with it in their communities.  Seriously – hoisted by their own petard.