This is a subject that interests me a lot, especially the stuff on the history channel with MS-13 and what not. I know if the country stays in the direction it's headed, violent gangs are going to be a very large problem. So that brings me to the question of.. what causes gangs? I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I wanna see what you have to say first. So what does it and what is the solution?
I don't think there is one specific thing that causes gangs to come about. I think two of the biggest though are poverty and oppression. Like Italians were oppressed and looked down upon so they banded together to protect themselves. Those in poverty look for ways to make money and they turn to crime. Also another may be some have no family whatsoever and look for those who will take them in. I'm no expert and really don't know much about this stuff but those are my guesses on why there are gangs present today.
Gangs have been around since the beginning of man. They are not isolated to any one particular country, race, group, etc. Gangs were a problem before either of us were born. It's not uncommon for younger generations to suddenly become aware of an issue and believe it just recently unfolded during their short lifetime. Solution? Don't live in areas where gangs live. That's worked well for me. There's always going to be good and bad people, no matter where you live.
I don't think it just recently unfolded. But your view is that it is an inevitable problem that has no direct cause?
Yeah I believe that's one aspect of it, poverty, and smatts pointed out oppression. I believe it is just the black market operating, they make a living off of it, and they don't like competitors. Look what happened with the Prohibition, where did the Mafia go? That might not be all of it, but I would say 90% of it.
Precisely, how else would the black market operate? There are exceptions like hiring hitmen I suppose, but you just crack down on those harder.
Maybe, wouldn't that depend on demand? I think if government got out of the way and let people keep the money they earned, there'd be a very low demand for things like robbery.
People feel weak, powerless, economically and in other ways and they want to feel strong, and living the gang-lie gives them a false sense of empowerment.
After Hurricane Mitch in 1998, it got really bad down there in Central America. However, MS-13 is not as tough as you think. There's no dealth penalty in Central America and many gang members prefer to live in jail. But, they are really scared of death except when they are doped up which is most of the time.
Well you have to think. Take someone who is making three hundred dollars a day selling drugs. Do you think they are going to go work for McDonalds for $6/hr? I doubt it.
Some do. But if you work at Mickey D's and have good work ethics, I can guarantee you that MD is only a stepping stone for greater things in life.
Yeah, I think there would be a period where the toxins gets flushed out, that's expected with anything. But I like long-term thinking and treating problems at the source, instead of quick fixes.
spankings will help deter gangsters.... Seriously, if parents spent some time with their kids and actually did punish for wrong, you wouldn't see so many gangsters to begin with. I say we get out the gang-spankers and give the kids a whippin' (ready for the backlash - cause spanking children is wrong and against the law.)
Thats true, the mafia made a boatload off of Prohibition. Which is the reason why the war on drugs is such bullshit. It only makes drug dealers rich.