When times are good, politicians don't seem to notice how much public money is wasted on the prison-industrial complex. When Michigan's budget tanks is the only time that the Legislature and Governor seriously think about unjust laws. Unfortunately, we are in such a time period. I pray that this new Legislative awareness survives our current recession.

There are currently bills in the state legislature of Michigan to end this horrible practice but as of today no action has been taken on them in committee. The way to get this done is to flood the chair of the judiciary's committee's office with letters and emails demanding he take action. His name is Sen. Wayne Kuipers and he is a Republican. These bills were introduced by Democratic Sen. Liz Brater which I believe is a big reason that Senator Kuipers does nothing with them.

If we find adults incompetent to stand trial who have the mentality of a teenager, why are we sending teenagers to prison for life who have the mind-sets of teenagers? Educated people can see the ill-formed rationale in this senseless policy. If we consider youth too young and irresponsible to make LAWFUL decisions such as getting married, enlisting in the military, and voting, they must be treated with the same standard when making UNLAWFUL decisions. They don't magically transform into adults because they commit a crime, just as they don't become adults because they abide by the law. We need to implement some sensible policies that can cure the defects in the existing practices governing juvenile sentencing.

It is appalling that we are only one of two nations in the world (Somalia is the other country) who are sentencing children to die in prison. We are the only nation in the western hemisphere committing this shameful practice. Let's start characterizing this for what it truly is, human rights violations against children.

God cautions us against not forgiving people, which is a form of self-righteousness. In Matthew 6:14-15 the Holy Bible says, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Believers in God and His scriptures are asked to evaluate their commitment to His instructions. They must then decide whether they are going to make decisions about forgiveness that are pleasing to God, or if they are going to contravene God's instructions and flatly disregard the principles that govern righteousness.

We make a mockery of our faith when we refuse to forgive people and adopt a hardened heart knowing it is wrong and displeasing to God. Knowing this, how many people will continue rejecting the practice of forgiveness?