J'accuse!

It is bad all over but it is worse in Richmond.  Richmond is again number one in many categories none of them good for the average city resident.  Richmond has the highest poverty rate in the state and one of the highest incarceration rates on the planet.  Add to these problems a failed public school system and we have a recipe for disaster.  In order to remedy the dire situation in our city we must ask ourselves how these problems were created and how will they be solved?

A brief glance at the 2011 Richmond budget shows that Richmond Public Schools will receive $125,867,931 and that $118,200,00 will be spent on the Richmond Jail.  It is bad enough that our schools and the jail get nearly identical funding,however in reality the Jail will receive more than double the money spent on schools.  The Richmond Jail will get an additional $137,000,000 in funding from the ironically titled Public Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act. Judging from the money that will be spent on the jail in 2011 one would logically conclude those who control the budget are more interested in locking up citizens rather than educating them.

The Public Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act is a creation of lobbying firm Mcguire Woods which is referred to by many as the seat of Virginia’s shadow government.  This firm created the legislation then plugged in their stable of amoral and greedy politicians to sell the bunk deal in exchange for money.  Money grubbing politicians like the Mayor,City  Council,  Sen. Henry Marsh, Mike Herring  and Sheriff CT Woody are ready to reap the benefits of this sudden influx of money to the jail despite the abuse they inflict on their fellow Richmonders.  This summer after a string of deaths caused by the cruel and unusual punishment at the Richmond Jail an out of touch Sheriff CT Woody stated during a televised briefing that he was “satisfied and excited” about the conditions at the jail.  I feel there is nothing at the Richmond jail that would cause either satisfaction or excitement.

Clearly the cycle of poverty, sub par education,lack of reliable transit,and incarceration is not working for anyone but those near the top of the pyramid scheme.  I announced my intention to be the next Sheriff on May 8,2010 with a pledge  to serve the people,honor the truth,and uphold the Constitution.  I have further promised that when I am the Sheriff we will not incarcerate victims in the governments war against the people also known as the war on drugs or enforce eviction notices on behalf of criminal banks.  Instead the Sheriffs office will be used to ensure public safety through incarcerating only those who violate the US Constitution and pose a risk to the safety of the people.  The Sheriffs office will be dedicated to equal justice under the law and will ensure that all our neighbors will have the rights of life,liberty,and the pursuit of happiness. 

• Chris Dorsey