What Americans Really Want: 10 Policies We Can All Agree On

By Sarah van Gelder, YES! Magazine. Posted December 13, 2008.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Drop punitive sentences for drug possession and other nonviolent offenses in favor of substance-abuse treatment, fines, community service, and restitution.
• Offer training and counseling to prepare inmates for a crime-free life after release.
• Channel youth into schools and jobs, not jail.

65% Believe attacking social problems is a better cure for crime than more law enforcement.

87% Support rehabilitation rather than a “punishment-only” system.

81% Say job training is “very important” for reintegrating people leaving prison. 79% say drug treatment is very important.

[Sources]

IMMIGRATION

• Implement trade policies that strengthen, not undermine, rural economies south of the border, reducing the poverty and displacement that spur migration. Start by ditching NAFTA.
• Increase minimum wage and worker protection for all, documented and undocumented.
• Provide a pathway to legal status and citizenship for immigrants already here.

56% Believe NAFTA should be renegotiated.

64% Believe that on the whole, immigration is good for the country.

80% Favor allowing undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. to stay and apply for citizenship if they have a job and pay back taxes.

[Sources]

See more stories tagged with: immigration, energy, economy, obama, health care, climate, jobs

Sarah van Gelder wrote this article as part of Purple America, the Fall 2008 issue of YES! Magazine. Research by Noah Grant. Sarah is executive editor and Noah is editorial assistant at YES! Magazine.

Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from AlterNet! Sign up now »