Crime Pays - and Hires

I have always believed; One of the hardest jobs any Government is responsible is job creation and stabilization.  It's not as public a role, and we tend to not even think of it unless the news alerts us of a big Automotive plant laying off 1500 workers, or a plan closing near us.  The trust is probably closer to the reality that almost everything the Government decides, relates in some way to keeping people employed.  Everything in Government is math.  Percentages.

The truth is, crime employs a lot of people.  It is a viable option for youth and adults alike.

In some neighbourhoods and communities, people grow up with a hope of doing better in life than their parents.  The dream of "getting out" or "making it big" is almost universal hope for kids of all ages and lifestyles.

If you can't play basketball, sing, win a lottery or focus enough to work hard - crime and the army are the two obvious choices.  If your community has exposure to crime, it's appeal as an income can be strong enough to break through almost any moral defence.

This conspiracy however relates to the other side of the equation.  If we assume crime isn't going away, we can start to evaluate the benefits of it's existence.  I propose that society needs crime.  It can't do without it.  It could probably use less - but like death in general, crime serves many purposes.

• Crime employs a lot of people.  People that would otherwise need to be employed and make an income - or else become an issue of the state.
   
• Many industries exist because of crime, or the fear or crime.  Locks, Security, safes, weapons.  These also employ millions of people.
   
• Crime is one of the main reasons people buy new stuff.
   
• Crime is the reason some people can afford nice stuff - both because they stole money to afford nice stuff, or because they can only afford to buy stolen stuff.
   
• Crime builds confidence and can be a solid community of friendship and admiration.
   
• Money changes hands because of crime as much as because of legitimate commerce, perhaps more.