When I think of the principle of cause and effect I see that every human action causes a consequential effect. Then too, in the process of time, every effect acts to become the cause of a further consistent effect. The beauty of human consciousness lies in its power to interrupt chain reactions of cause and effect events -- and redirect the course of personal history. I offer a new hope: that most people can see the futility of harming the harmful and, upon this modest advance in awareness, can choose to help instead of to harm.

Clearly crimes do not in themselves directly cause their legislated punishments. These punishments constitute artificial consequences that get heaped on top of the natural and direct consequences of crimes. Usually the punishment deliberately does at least as much evil as the crime. Punishment as a means to deterrence presumes to justify the evil, but the end does not justify the means. Rather, we find the end consistent with the means. So, due to the evil and fear and repression and suppression generated by artificial punishments and the threats of artificial punishments -- crime has persisted, seldom abated, for aeons. Punishment becomes a secondary cause of crime and fails to address the primary cause which most likely lies in a motive so similar to retaliation as to appear practically indistinguishable.

I nominate Crime and Punishment the poster child for "vicious circle." How do we break that cycle? Not with politics. Politics practices the use of force (artificial evil consequences) in all things. We know that ignorance and poverty precede crime. These we can prevent if we care to. Lets try education for socialization according to the golden rule, respect for free will and trade for mutual benefit in win/win games instead of for competition in zero sum games. Lets turn our vicious revenge motives to a relentless drive to heal disease wherever it confronts us. Substitute making someone happy for getting even with someone.

To end crime we need to stop committing the crimes called punishment. This ain't rocket science: Simply help instead of hurt.