JUSTICE - Opinion Editorials - Independence Institute

Criminal sentencing bill is flawed, but debate over sentencing is long overdue 0
- April 21, 2009
Few issues in Colorado state government generate as much fear-driven acrimony or panic-tinged opposition as criminal sentencing reform. This helps explain why even modest sentencing reforms, which could potentially save million of dollars in prison spending, have been off the table during the last few big budget battles.
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Hold Onto Your Assets 0
- March 2, 2009
Seven years ago, the Colorado legislature passed reforms to the state’s civil asset forfeiture laws, implementing important safeguards to protect citizens from having their property unfairly seized by overreaching government agencies. Now those reforms are under assault this year.
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Calling in the Guard: State Dems Get in Touch With Their Inner Drug-Warrior 0
- February 12, 2009
A slavish devotion to drug prohibition in the United States has spawned predatory and hugely flawed practices at nearly every level of government. Colorado lawmakers have actually cranked up that devotion by turning the Colorado National Guard into really well armed drug police working on commission for the federal government.
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U.S. Should Support Taiwan’s Democracy 0
- February 9, 2009
For 30 years, the U.S. has maintained an “unofficial” relationship with Taiwan.

And while this outdated policy acquiesces nicely to communist China’s absurd (and equally outdated) claim of sovereignty over democratic Taiwan, it also badly undermines the American tradition of supporting democracy around the globe.
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Reducing Recidivism and Lowering Corrections Costs 0
- January 13, 2009
In Colorado, recidivism is defined as “a return to prison for either new criminal activity or technical violation of parole, probation or non-departmental community placement within three years of release.” Recidivism is also a major factor in the decades worth of massive growth in the state’s prison population that taxpayers are obligated to pay for.
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Smoke ’em if You Got ’em, It’s for the Children 0
- January 6, 2009
In 2004, Coloradans overwhelmingly passed Amendment 35, a tobacco tax that helps expand state-funded health care for the working poor, the uninsured and children.

Amendment 35 also funds professional busybodies who use tax dollars to try and get people to quit smoking.
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