why is the answer always more money to police?

neoliberal policies have not only failed to mend societal divides but have deliberately deepened them, particularly through the war on drugs. this initiative, marketed as a moral crusade, was in reality a targeted attack against the american left—specifically designed to dismantle leftist communities by focusing on two groups historically associated with cannabis use: black americans and hippies. by criminalizing these communities, the policy effectively silenced potent voices of dissent. this blog post will critically examine the role that defunding social programs plays in exacerbating these issues, while also turning the lens towards the calls for defunding the police—a movement born from the urgent need to redirect resources towards more constructive and supportive community services, rather than punitive enforcement. as we unravel the layers of government strategies that prioritize policing over genuine social support, we will expose a system designed not just to marginalize but to actively suppress those it views as threats to the status quo. our discussion will challenge the oppressive structures that maintain economic and racial disparities and advocate for a reimagined approach to public safety and welfare that genuinely serves all citizens. neoliberalism, often wrapped in the cloak of economic modernization and efficiency, has systematically reshaped social policy across the globe. at its core, neoliberalism champions free-market capitalism, deregulation, and a reduction in government spending on social services, ostensibly to enhance economic competitiveness. however, the real-world effects of these policies have often deepened economic disparities rather than mitigating them. a stark example of neoliberal policy in action is the war on drugs, initiated as a supposed moral campaign against illegal drug use. in practice, it has functioned as a strategic political tool, targeting specific communities deemed oppositional to the conservative status quo of the 1980s. this campaign disproportionately targeted black americans and members of the hippie movement, both groups seen as pillars of leftist ideologies in the united states. the result was not just a suppression of drug use but a broader suppression of potential political dissent. by criminalizing these groups, the policy effectively dismantled community structures, leading to long-term socio-economic repercussions for the targeted populations. the war on drugs served to enforce the idea that drug use was a moral failing rather than a public health issue, a stance that justified aggressive policing and harsh sentencing. this approach has filled prisons with non-violent offenders, predominantly from minority communities, and has done little to address the underlying causes of drug use and addiction. the repercussions are still felt today, as these policies continue to influence perceptions and laws around drug enforcement. the trend of defunding social programs in favor of bolstering law enforcement budgets has had profound economic and social consequences. by channeling resources away from social welfare and into policing, governments have not only neglected the root causes of many societal issues but have also exacerbated the conditions that lead to poverty and social unrest. as state and federal governments have shifted their focus from welfare to enforcement, programs like temporary assistance for needy families (tanf) and other social safety nets have seen significant cuts in their funding. these cuts come at a high cost. without adequate support, many individuals and families find themselves in a perpetual state of economic instability, which can lead to increased interaction with the criminal justice system as people are forced to survive by any means necessary. this economic desperation feeds into the cycle of criminalization, particularly of marginalized and impoverished communities. it is no coincidence that as social program funding decreases, incarceration rates tend to increase. the reduction in social support services not only leaves fewer options for assistance but also places a heavier burden on law enforcement to manage situations that are not criminal in nature, such as mental health crises and homelessness. moreover, the focus on punitive measures rather than preventative ones means that instead of addressing the systemic issues that lead to drug use and poverty, the government’s response has often been to increase policing. this approach has led to a militarization of police forces and a corresponding increase in police brutality, which further alienates the very communities that are most in need of support. the consequences of these policies are not just felt by individuals but ripple across communities, contributing to a cycle of poverty and criminalization that is difficult to break. the social fabric of communities is weakened, and trust in governmental institutions erodes, creating divisions that are hard to heal. the movement to defund the police is not merely a reaction to high-profile incidents of police brutality but a thoughtful response to the systemic misuse of resources that could otherwise enhance community well-being. this proposal seeks to reallocate funds from policing, which often disproportionately targets marginalized communities, to social programs that address the root causes of societal issues like poverty, mental health, and addiction. defunding the police involves re-envisioning public safety to include a broader array of services beyond law enforcement, such as mental health care, housing, education, and addiction treatment. by investing in these areas, communities can reduce the need for policing and incarceration, which are often ineffective and costly responses to social problems.