There are some in society that support and contribute to criminal behavior. Why do they do this? How do they live with themselves?
As with all topics in life there is a continuum when it comes to criminal behavior and there are many reasons why people get involved in this kind of activity.
Some people turn to criminal behavior as a way to survive. While not positive, a look at history shows that sometimes people who are distanced from the mainstream for lots of reasons may get involved in criminal enterprise to make money, work with others, and get ahead. To engage in this activity only gets more troubling and problematic in time. So it's never a good idea.
Other people get involved in criminal activity for reasons of greed and/or sociopathic tendencies alone--these people are a true danger to all of us because they don't care about the results of their actions, but instead care only about their own greed and gain.
Then, of course, there are the impulsive people that act without thinking and do the wrong thing.
How can we stop criminal behavior? How can we prevent criminal behavior? How can we react to criminal behavior?
That famous quote, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive." is a great quote to think about when we think of criminal behavior. This quote directs us to avoid those who work to deceive others and act in criminal ways. I remember way back when a loved one took a job and soon found out that the group was engaged in criminal behavior. He was smart and got out of there right away--that was a no win proposition, a web that would surely have entangled him in inhumane, hurtful, harmful behavior.
For those who are born into criminal situations, it must be much more difficult. If your family and loved ones are involved in criminal behavior, you have to find a way to get away from them as much as possible, and if their behavior hurts and harms others, you have to somehow find a way to hold them accountable. There are anonymous ways to do that.
In society, we have many channels to work against criminal behavior--using those channels in thoughtful ways can help.
In all, it's everyone's job to steer clear of criminal behavior and to report that behavior when it happens. It is very worrisome to see so many Republicans clearly covering up Trump's illegal, unethical behavior and dereliction of duty as President of the United States--these actions are hurting so many in society and preventing lots of good work possible. So many dollars and so much time is being spent trying to hold Trump and his derelict team accountable--time and money that could be used for greater good, but time and money necessary because most of us don't want the Trump team to destruct our democracy, greedily use our tax dollars for their personal gain, and create more death, harm, vandalism, terror, and hurt for people in our country and elsewhere. The Trump Republican team is a dangerous, destructive, greedy, self-serving, propagandist team who have greatly harmed our country and will continue to do so if not held accountable.
So, in summary:
- steer clear of criminal behavior of any kind
- find ways to report, work against criminal behavior your know of, experience
- report dangerous and destructive criminal behavior in your midst
- work to uplift lives, not destruct them
- vote for leaders who will promote the common good, not solely work for their own fame/gain.
We can do this.