These Democrats Have AXED Stiff Punishment For Violent Offenders
(RightWing.org) – In a civil society, state legislatures and Congress pass laws to ensure people have standards to live by. Most would agree it’s unacceptable to steal from someone or kill another human being. Laws exist to protect personal liberties, citizens’ general safety, and to prevent abuses by other people, organizations, and the government.
In recent years, Democrats began asking what laws should exist, what penalties should a convicted criminal receive, and whether some laws should even be enforced. In 2020, Democratic-led cities began defunding police, and district attorneys began refusing to prosecute some offenses. As a result, violent crime across America exploded. But those two issues weren’t the only contributors to the increase in lawlessness. For example, in Colorado, Democratic state lawmakers passed legislation that reduced penalties for murder — and homicides spiked.
Two Liberal Colorado Lawmakers Face Voters After Murder Spike
Colorado Democratic state legislators Brittany Pettersen and Yadira Caraveo are running for Congress, but voters may have a lot of questions for the two lawmakers. In the spring of 2021, the two women backed legislation that reduced some murder charges from a Class 1 to a Class 2 felony. That may not sound like much, but the revised consequences were significant.
Instead of a criminal convicted of murder potentially receiving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the most heinous crimes, they now only receive up to 16 years in prison.
The vote to change the sentencing parameters occurred as Denver homicides skyrocketed to near-record highs. In 2019, Denver recorded 63 homicides. In 2020 murder shot up to 95. In 2021, it rose to 96. That’s the highest tally in 40 years.
So, as Pettersen and Caraveo run for Congress, the question is, will voters hold them accountable for their legislative record?
Did Colorado Lawmakers Embolden Criminals?
Arvada County Deputy Chief of Police Ed Brady alleged that state Democrats emboldened criminals through legislation. He told The Washington Free Beacon that Democrats focused more on convicted criminals at the expense of victims, which he believes contributed heavily to the crime spree across the state. He added that when the state “becomes more concerned about the impacts of crime on the offender than they do the victim, that’s how we become a state without a control on crime.”
Pettersen and Caraveo ran unopposed in the June primary elections for Congress. Pettersen’s Republican opponent in the November midterm election is Erik Aadland. The GOP candidate said Pettersen’s vote undermined law enforcement’s leverage. He noted that Denver ranks first in the state for bank robberies and car thefts. He said criminals must be held accountable for their actions, and going soft on crime doesn’t do that.
On Monday, July 18, Coloradopols.com showed Pettersen up by 40 points. Caraveo is tied with GOP candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer. So, will Colorado voters take note of the crime at the polls this fall? What about in other Democratic-led states?
That will be up to voters to decide.
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