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> but the actual policies arose from public outrage in the 1980's and 1990's about the government being "soft on crime."

Bad laws are quickly removed from the books. Unless someone is pocketing money.

> Law enforcement, prison unions, private prisons, etc, have definitely benefited from these things

Yup.

> One bit of context that's lost in current discussions is how much consternation existed in the 1980's and 1990's about crime.

I remember. As I mentioned, policies tend to change with the mood ... unless someone is making money off of the previous policies.




> Bad laws are quickly removed from the books.

Laws of any kind, good or bad, are rarely removed from the books.




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