Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is in prison for three misdemeanors – failure to file IRS returns. Yes, of course he should have filed. But was prison really the smartest choice? I am not suggesting we reward him (we need to punish and set an example) but think of what an alternative sentence could have been. He could have been given the option of working in a community inspiring young adults and been very productive – both for the young adults and for us (we always want success from people even for selfish reasons to avoid future crime or to tap into some big contribution that young teen might later make.). Don’t forget that we also have to pay for Snipes sitting in prison which is an expense we don’t need (we don’t have a lot of national cash hanging around to spend.) Tax offenses are wrong – but not violent requiring that the convicted be put away to protect the community. We could have really gotten something good out of Snipes and made him work hard for us to make up for his crime but once again we missed the opportunity to think out of the box.