Re: Sarah Palin

And jail is no different to kidnapping.

And community service is no different to slavery.

And taxes and fees are no different to racketeering.

No penalty passes the difference test - none!!!!!

The reasons why we still impose penalties, despite that, are one of more of (a) raise the cost of some behaviour [I personally think deterrence theories have been disproved, but they are believed by lots of the public, media and politicians], (b) decrease the chances for recidivism [after all, if you're free, you can do it again, can't you?], (c) make people account for their actions [hence why killing can be retribution for killing, eg, at least according to some].

But it's neeeeever been about being "better than the criminal", nor will it ever.