The Wisdom of Nutter

A heart-felt welcome to the seat of Mayor, Mr. Michael Nutter!  It seems so rare to find a politician who thinks outside of the box.  I so was pleased to read about a Michael Nutter plan to alleviate crime in Philadelphia: encouragement of businesses to hire ex-offenders.  Not only does he recognize that statistically crime will be perpetuated by poverty (i.e. ex-offenders not finding jobs), but he also recognizes that poverty is a key factor contributing to crime.  When people lack money, they lack a good education; when they lack education, they lack well-paying jobs to earn money.  Why can’t everyone realize the corruption of the system! 

The twentieth century, corrupt with a structure of segregation carried out by redlining and blockbusting (to name a couple), has created niches of poverty and violence. 

All is still not fair in “America.”  Those who have money refuse to live in places of poverty, and those who find better-paying jobs typically move out of these neighborhoods.  I think Nutter’s idea for businesses to hire ex-offenders is a good start to the dismantling of criminal activity in Philadelphia.