Repeal The Damn Law

The role law plays in society is to guarantee the rights of those who are weaker either physically or socially in any given social structure. Laws were enacted by elected representatives of the social group to protect the rights of life and substance from those in a society who would use their prestige, wealth and manipulation of arms to restrict the rights of others. In Massachusetts, for more than two decades, driver's licenses have been suspended from anyone convicted of a drug offense. That suspension can last up to five years, and a reinstatement cost a minimum of $500.

Here's the part I don't get. The drug offense had nothing to do with driving, in most cases. The MA law strips an individual of his or her license automatically after a drug offense conviction. The problem starts rearing its ugly head when the person leaves jail and wants to get a regular job. Too many times, the convicts don't have the money to get their license back.

The movement to repeal, on Beacon Hill, seems to be getting some notable momentum from the AG, the Senate President and the Governor. Add my name to the list because if we expect people to have a successful re-entry back into the community, they'll need access to transportation just to go to work or to the supermarket. Repeal the damn the law that today stands more of a barrier instead of a deterrent.