CB rants again... like your life depends on it.

[countybear]

/Rant on


We've all sat aghast at seeing the benefit packages of executives and autoworkers. We've all been stupefied at the healthcare plans for Congressmen, all while we see deficits soar and stimulus money continually fail to reach those who really need it. The expectations that some had for expansion of the government dole are beginning to be dashed, yet we continue as a people whose burdensome government seems to evermore expand the means by which it will promise the world, and deliver more debt. The working poor gets poorer while wealth is re-distributed, but not all wealth, just that which is earned by those unable to afford shelters and wily, loophole-leaping accountants. Meanwhile, we want the best. We want the best from our doctors, our lawmakers, our investment counselors, our spiritual leaders, and in our government, we cast our vote and our faith with it, yet we remain unfulfilled. We realize that we get what we pay for, and most do not mind paying for the best in services to us and our communities, but when we pay premium prices, we must also demand accountability for the stewardship of the wealth managed by our government. That accountability must include what is spent (and what is not) on our police protection, especially.


In the world where common sense rules, society's protectors would be paid not based upon what they routinely do, but upon what they endure emotionally and physically. Their dauntless and relentless natures, combined with job stresses place them among the highest rates of peril in nearly all aspects f their personal, professional, and physical qualities of life. Police indeed should be compensated for what they are trained and prepared to do when dire need arises. What they must invest in their time, commitment to others, and sheer selfless sacrifice should be regarded similarly to the value placed upon what we as a civilization hold dearest, life itself; for it is ultimately that which they are charged to protect, and theirs which is truly at risk of loss and material depreciation, whether through violence, anxiety, anguish, or tragedy. Harm comes in all forms, and befalls the ranks of officers in a vast array of means.


Police should be rewarded for the manner in which they have committed to lead a life of example to others, though not saints, they do bear an unwieldy burden of public scrutiny for actions in both public and private lives. Police undertake careers that rank among the most perishable, for on the street there is little mercy for negligence, the harshest penalties for error, and no tolerance for unworthiness of mind or body. After years of service to the public the vast majority of peace officers possess innumerable scars, both visible and invisible. To achieve twenty-five years or more of such a life should amaze and astound us all, and we should revere the retired street officer not with a gold tone watch and a paltry – yet still taxed – stipend, but with an endowment, worthy of the career-long devotion to others that he has demonstrated.


Our pundits and politicians like to tout the need for more police, yet much like the legislation that officers are sworn to uphold, simplistic quality should be our rallying cry. Truthfully, rather than broadening the bureaucracy, our focus should be on a higher commitment to the officers themselves, and the stiffness of the real penalties faced for anyone demonstrating a disregard for life, law, and authority. Veteran peace officers themselves would readily trade quantity for quality, both in their numbers and in the meting of justice. We dumb down tests and grant mitigated sentences, when we should be striving for perfection and reaching for excellence, both in the ranks of our enforcers, and in the conduct of our society.


There was a slogan used years ago when a police union was lobbying the public to pass a bond to increase police pay. It was “Pay police like your life depends on it...” Lives do depend on it, and we as a society should demand it. We don't need more bond issues, we need faithful stewardship of the money we currently spend. The effectiveness of our police both actively and passively impact our lives daily, and the safety of the public should be of the highest priority. The way to make a positive impact in society isn't to take more from its people so that more can be given away, it is to re-evaluate our priorities and place fitting emphasis upon services which most directly impact the quality and even preservation of citizen's lives.


/rant off

[2 Blue 4 U]

As always well said and sadly so true and unlikely to change.

[Jenna]

Well said.

[lewisipso]

As always well said and sadly so true and unlikely to change.

Agreed. Well said as always brother.

[Twan007]

CB - ya got the nail on the head brother

great post

[pac201]

Once again he does it, and does it very well indeed.

[Captain America]

As always well said and sadly so true and unlikely to change.

As long as there are good , honorable people willing to do the job nothing will change.

[121Traffic]

Excellent.

[Reca]

Nice to see the old CB back!

[countybear]

Nice to see the old CB back!

I take issue with the "old" reference...

[APB]

Can I give that to our editor to consider for publication?

[countybear]

Can I give that to our editor to consider for publication?

If you feel its worthy, sure.

[APB]

Done. PM me with how you'd like to be credited on your byline if we use it.

[BigDawg]

Excellent post as always sir!

[countybear]

Thanks all, good to be ranting again

[Resident Smart Ass]

Thanks all, good to be ranting again

Good to hear your rants again

[APB]

Just got word from the editor this will likely go into the Nov. issue.

[Jenna]

Just got word from the editor this will likely go into the Nov. issue.

[Captain America]

Awesome. Congrats CB !!!