The current fines and fee system violates core conservative principles.
The current criminal and civil fine and fee system in the United States should concern conservatives. This report shows how this system violates four core conservative principles: individual freedom and limited government, fiscal responsibility, the rule of law, and human dignity. The author describes fines and fees as a form of government overreach that intrudes into people’s lives, leading to increased state surveillance and excessive control. He then highlights how state and local governments have come to rely on these revenues to grow bureaucracies beyond what their tax bases can sustain. In discussing the rule of law, the author contends that the fines and fees system erodes public trust in law enforcement and the justice system. Finally, he argues that the fines and fees system is dehumanizing, often leading to decades-long debts and stripping people of their freedom, particularly those who are less fortunate. The report concludes with a call for conservatives to oppose a system that extracts revenue from individuals even when they are unable to pay, urging them to advocate for reforms that align with conservative values.
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