We are becoming a list-ridden society — lists we have, lists legislators want, and lists that are abused. People tend to think lists protect society, but they also invade privacy, put people who are on them at risk of harm, create problems with housing, cause undue emotional harm to families and children, and become abused by law enforcement. At the rate we are going, the new pickup line in the future may become “What list are you on?”
If you have committed a felony you are on a Department of Corrections listing that is available to the public. Then there is the list for registered sex offenders. In Michigan, there are over 40,000 on the list, but how useful is it? It contains people without convictions, juveniles who committed a sexual offense as a juvenile and have never had another sexual offense, and people who had consensual sex when teens and are now married to each other. Even though some laws have been passed that allow certain people to petition for removal, the list is still too inclusive to be useful.
Then there is the Michigan central registry of people believed to have abused or neglected children. Citizens may be on the list and not even be aware of it. You are placed on the list without due process, at the click of a button by the child protective services worker, and then must request a hearing to attempt to have your name removed. The problem is these are administrative hearings, conducted by people who are part of the Department of Human Services, and they do not follow the same degree of evidence and proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the regular judicial system does. If the worker has “concerns” that you may be a danger to children, you will most likely remain on the list.
Other lists have also been proposed. There was the suggestion of a public listing of those who own firearms. That would be great for burglars; they would know which homes have firepower and which do not, allowing them to select accordingly.
Then there is Logan’s Law, a registry of Michigan animal abusers that will soon become law. Licensed animal shelters would run a background check on those attempting to adopt a pet before releasing an animal to someone. While I do not condone animal abuse, I feel the time of legislators would be better spent on issues dealing with human needs, such as lack of housing for the homeless, hunger, education, employment, drug dealers, and drunk drivers. I think it is a tragedy that these are still issues, but steps regarding animal abusers has been dealt with.
California was recently proposing legislation to eliminate a “personal belief exemption” and/or eliminating privacy rights and create a public lists that includes a parent’s name, address, and what vaccines have been declined. The list would make the information regarding children public, including where they reside. This is extremely dangerous for the children, as anyone who targets children will have a public list to review and obtain information, including their residency. I guess the thought process is that it is more important to protect society against a child who was not vaccinated, than the child against a pedophile.
So, which lists are you on? Which could you potentially get on? No one is safe. The only solution to secure the privacy and safety of the American people is to eliminate the lists that exist and stop the creation of new lists. People need to go back to the old-fashioned method of getting to know people and passing judgment based on each person’s behavior, not what list some law enforcement agency has put them on. ..Source.. by Grace Grogan of St. Clair who is a Times Herald community columnist
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