Tough on crime and friendly to guns, hostile to labor and public education, as governor, Bush teamed with the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to enact some radical laws. The best known is “stand your ground,” which was born in Florida. Bush and the National Rifle Association were the principal advocates for this Wild West law, which allows frightened gun owners to shoot potential threats first and ask questions later. The Trayvon Martin case brought national attention to “stand your ground,” but only after it was passed in 21 more states. Other ALEC-inspired laws passed during Bush’s tenure include 10-20-Life, the Three-Strikes Violent Felony Offender Act and the Habitual Offender Accountability Act, all designed to enhance mandatory minimum sentences and reduce judicial discretion, the effect of which has been a ballooning prison population and the felon disenfranchisement of about 20 percent of black voters.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 11:57:05 +0000
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