To say that we give kids mixed messages when we tacitly (or openly) condone theft in the political arena is a huge understatement, and it has its consequences.
In my recent CJ piece on zero tolerance in schools I posed pretty much the same question that John considers: If a kid takes another kid’s lunch money, is it stealing, or uncooperative behavior? Maybe it’s just good politics, and a socially beneficial wealth transfer.
We’ll really be in trouble if kids ever get savvy enough to make these arguments when they get caught. What we should not be is surprised if they do.
