Shoplifter had a choice

The plight of the university student arrested on a shoplifting/robbery charge concerns me. Not because she may have ruined her career and certainly not because of her “sour grapes” lack of accountability, but because of the shameless use of taxpayer monies for repeated appeals.

A helpless stroke victim/invalid now suffers from deep state-mandated cuts in care-giving hours, medical and pharmaceutical assistance, yet the costly appeals process marches on, sucking funds from the truly needy. It all seems so unjust.

One wonders if the selfish lawbreakers would think twice if they knew the judicial system’s budgets were similarly trimmed. And charges, even minor charges, may hang over their thoughtless, disrespectful heads for extended periods. Probably not, but those of us with loved ones who are physically or mentally incapable of managing their daily affairs, unable to perform even the most mundane of wage-earning tasks, might rest a bit easier knowing the lawless are also suffering more than usual.

After all, shoplifters choose their path through life. Stroke victims don’t have that option.

Dave Michaelson

Harrington, Wash.