WSU Trumpet

I am absolutely blown away by our legal system these days. I just watched a video outlining a growing trend in our society toward drunk driving. It focused on Paris Hilton and her jail-time escapades (what a freaking joke, if you ask me.) Anyhow, this video stated that in the last year alone there were about a dozen high-profile celebrities (A-listers, if you will) who have all been convicted of driving under the influence. With Hilton, it's been a media circus. However, what I find staggeringly disturbing is her actual sentence: 36 months probation, $1500 fine and attendance at alcohol classes. This is of course in addition to a 45-day jail sentence (woop-dee freakin' doo). Fifteen hundred dollars? Are you kidding me? That's a pair of shoes for Paris. She can cough that up without even thinking.

My thinking is this: drunk drivers are criminals. No ifs, ands, or buts. They are criminals and should be treated as criminals. I think DUI convictions ought to hurt like hell. I recently noticed a bus stop bench sign that said "Don't let a DUI ruin your life... I will fight for your license and blah blah blah." DUI ought to ruin your life. Absolutely no one should be driving while intoxicated. I think a DUI ought to consist of complete pay garnishment for at least 5 years. If a person can't come up with some sort of (reasonable) wage, then they are automatically sent to prison for a 5 year minimum sentence. If this means that their family has to be separated from the offender and live under state custody, then so be it. I do not want *my* family to have to be a victim of some stupid drunk driver!!! Like I say, DUI convictions ought to be so painful that society governs itself out of a dependence on alcohol and other "intoxicants." I sincerely believe that people can govern themselves, but it takes a no-tolerance policy to certain behaviors for that to happen.


Say what you will, but this is my opinion.