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In regard to the Fiona Makenzie post regarding racist politicians in Arizona and thier link to private contracted prisons in Northern Arizona one must also look to other populations in those prisons. It was explained to me in a University classroom that Arizona has the second highest rate of mentally ill populations in thier prisons among other states. The state could treat, feed and house this same population for one third less, outside prison walls, but refuses to do so. The state does scream they have no funds for Medicare. Hmm? The state of Arizona would rather pay the private prisons in excess and you have to ask yourself why? Remember when our troops had shoddy kevlar vest equipment and Blackwater/Xe/whatever thier name is now had the best protection? ALEC has been accused, in the least, of being a bill mill (rubbish like Stand your Ground) and at worst a dating service between politicians and big business/corporations. Where does this leave Arizona? This is a story that should be followed because mandated prison percentage populations by private contractors is frightening in Arizona. Who really owns those prisons? Who builds those prisons? Who really gets the big profits from these Arizona incarceration mills? Why is Arizona looking more like Southern Utah everyday? Visit some Northern Arizona towns yourself, especially the towns that have thier own police forces, Talibaneque, if you ask me. Why are we fighting in the Middle East for womens and childrens rights when it is plain to see during a drive by that the troops are needed throughout Arizona. Why did the Maricopa sheriff leave hundreds of child sexual and physical abuse cases linger and rot, when they intentionally looked the other way. What happened at Penn State has nothing on what happened in Phoenix regarding child sexual abuse cases and the refusal to investigate. The only thing that surprises me about ALEC is they have not made thier headquarters somewhere in Arizona, as yet but I am sure there is wining and dining to be performed.