One of the popular beliefs in the United States is that slavery is illegal. For all practical purposes that is the case but it isn’t as clear as you might believe. In referring to the end of slavery people refer to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. What they have not done is read it with their mind turned on. Let me refresh your memory.
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
Does this make slavery illegal? Do you need to read it again? No, it does not. It simply restricts the parameters. Slavery could still be a punishment for crime.
I am not a lawyer. I would assume that the courts have interpreted this to mean that slavery is illegal, but that is not what it says. It would not take much of a stretch to re-authorize it as a punishment for crime. The real problem comes when the political classes designate what crimes can lead to enslavement. Think of all the special cases they could establish to silence their political opponents.
Elections matter. Even in a matter like slavery.
homo unius libri
Hard time (chain gangs and such) is slavery. Don't know how anyone could think otherwise. Still, I'm not against it for VIOLENT crimes, IF it's run right. (And it probably never is.)
ReplyDeleteThat is the problem. We need to be careful the laws we pass when we are in control because the other guys will get their turn and what will they do with it when they get it?
DeleteGrace and peace.