Cruel and Unusual Punishment
.... While on shock probation he had to carry a sign outside DPS in Houston stating, "I killed 2 people while I was driving drunk on Westheimer." He also prohibited him from having a driver's license for 10 years. Another example embarrassing punishment is that Poe ordered a man convicted of assaulting his wife to apologize to her on the steps of Houston's city hall at noon. The apology was carried on national television. ''He was embarrassed,'' Poe said. ''He was humiliated. And that's the way it should be.'' Judge Ted Poe sentenced another drunk driver to have his $30,000 sports car to be emblazoned with four signs letting any passerby know that the 24-year-old behind the wheel got caught drinking and driving. The signs read "I Drank, I drove and now my life is a disaster." Judge Poe's specialty seems to be public humiliation as a form of punishment. Critics say the sentences are too cruel. Jenni Gainsborough of the American Civil Liberties Union says, "These people are already suffering from so much internal shame. In the long run, [such sentences] could do more damage." Some say that Judge Poe has put their sons or daughters in jail or on probation for no reason. If their children had to report to court then there is a valid reason on why they were sentenced the way they were. Citizens always believe that children can do no wrong. If we can let parents see in the lives of their children then they would see that the punishment that their children received is leant compared to what could have happened. I believe that this type of punishment benefits everyone involved in the criminal justice system. At the present time the Texas prisons are over crowded so adding more people will just over crowd it even more. Also, I believe that this type of sentencing is more effective on first time offenders. With more jail population that means more money the citizens have to spend to feed them and give them a place to stay. Also, being in jail they have more amenities then having to carry a sign around out on a street corner. Most prisons have cable television, free time to go and play sports and also have time to make telephone calls during the middle of the day. Even with the unusual punishment this should not make a difference in if he should be elected to the second congressional district for US Congress. Citizens may believe that with his harsh punishment that he may make horrible decisions in Congress. I know that prior experiences do make a difference in how people are going to make decisions in the future but with him making an impact on the criminal population he will be able to make more informed decisions regarding crime. Poe wants to make a National Sex Offender Register, allow Farmers Insurance an umbrella, and allow people of all ages to open up retirement planning to all ages. By consolidating IRA accounts into a single Retirement Savings Account, more people can begin to set aside money for their later years. Also, Poe supports President Bush’s tax cuts which he believes should be made permanent because the working class deserves to keep their own money. Poe also believes that we should eliminate the IRS and replace it with a far simpler program the Fair Tax Program which would replace all Federal taxes other than excise taxes (e.g., the per-gallon tax on gasoline) with a simple retail sales tax. With this new program the average worker would see a 30% increase in their take home pay. Poe also wants to help educate our children in which with all mandates imposed by congress for additional measures that funding should be in order for them to take place. One of the most important issues that Poe addresses in his election campaign is immigration. The security of the borders of the United States should be first priority in regards to immigration policy. He believes that blanket amnesty is not right for immigrants due to the recent terror attacks. One issue that raises controversy among citizens is that Poe wants to bring prayer back into schools and also have the right to display the Ten Commandments on public property. I also believe that prayer should be brought back into school events and that the Ten Commandments should be able to be displayed on public property. Mike Lampson’s campaign is attacking Poe on his court room decisions. Lampson’s campaign is attacking Poe with his embarrassing punishments stating that if he were elected he would embarrass the citizens from Texas about his decisions in congress. Some may consider allowing cameras into the court room and during jury deliberations unfair to the defendant and could influence the jury’s decision. Judge Ted Poe wanted to allow cameras into the court room and jury deliberations in the capital murder case of Cedric ...