Topsy turvy world
This issue of loan sharking has been in and on the news for such a long time. But this piece of news just broke something inside me.
Victimization.
Imagine the poor borrower, already harassed by the loan shark, now (if the cops get what they want) persecuted by the police?! Don’t they have enough to deal with already?
This is legalism at its worst. To get at what I’m trying to point at: Try substituting rape for loan shark harrasment and rape victim for borrower. It’s the same thing. But many don’t realize it because those who are rich and well off, just look down condescendingly at people who do.
We all know why people borrow money from loan sharks: The ease of getting the loan, desperation (from gambling, addiction, business losses). Often, the root problem is greed. But these are weaknesses of human nature-and it goes against the spirit of lawmaking to punish people for things like this.
More laws does not make a civil society. Laws do not deter people from breaking them, it just means there is more work for the police to do.
Better ways would be protection against the loan sharks, microcredit arrangement, financial counselling and even gambling addiction counselling if it applies. From what I read in the article, it would seem that the cops believe that making a better society means making more laws. Oh the fallacy in that sort of thinking!
Enough said. In short, I’m looking for society to be softer on the borrower and harsher on the lender, as it should be.
