By Jesse Jackson Jr. and Dr. Michael B. Jones
Emancipation of the January 6 Insurrectionists
When Donald Trump pardoned 1,500 American citizens, fulfilling a campaign promise to pardon the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, Democrats were outraged. They were less so, when Joe Biden reneged on a campaign promise and pardoned his son Hunter. Democrats were silent on President Biden’s last-minute pardon of his entire family.
What Democrats, Americans, and all people of faith should consider is the economics, and grace of this act of mercy even if not deserved. There is great power and economic benefit from this “Merciful Emancipation.” Assuming an average American income of $65,000 the economic boost of allowing these 1,500 felons to reenter society equals $97.5 million in annual income which is subject to taxation. This was only possible via full, complete, absolute, and unconditional restoration of their rights. These felons were freed from lifelong felonization and subsequent third-class citizenship. Only the Federal Pardon power can do that.
This type of mercy should not however be limited to President Trump’s followers. President Trump should extend these pardons to others who deserve grace, mercy, and the chance to return to full participation in the work force and society. Many if not all of the 70 million debt paid felons, and in particular those who have skills, and services (such as medical providers) needed by our society should receive a pardon.
Emancipation of Nonviolent Medical Providers
Societal Benefit:
The United States ranks 69th among 191 countries, and ranks last among developed countries for performance of our healthcare system. Much of the failures of our medical system are due to reduced access to providers, and the 64,000 doctor shortage. There are presently 70,000 medical entities (Doctors, Nurses, Clinics, Dentist, Pharmacist etc.) excluded from providing care due to restrictions related to their convictions. If each of those entities provided care for 2,000 people (a conservative number) the nation would have access to 140,000,000 (1/3 or the US population) more episodes of care. This alone would alleviate the known medical provider shortage.
Economic Benefit:
Returning 70,000 medical providers to work allowing for a conservative income commiserate with their discipline would mean an economic boost of $17 billion. This would also equal over $4 billion in taxes paid.
Emancipation of the Debt Paid Felon
As an American citizen, believing in the American promise, and the Constitution, I know that restoration of full citizenship via the pardon of over 70 million Americans is a step towards strengthening our country.
If 70 million Americans currently kept from gainful employment and full participation in our economy were emancipated, this would provide an immense financial boon for the United States. With an average wage of $65,000 for Americans, full complete, absolute and unconditional pardons would provide over $4.2 trillion to our economy per year. This would mean $1 trillion in taxes. This would mean a 20% increase in the US GDP. The US economy has only grown on average 1% per year over the last 10 years. The economic boost allowed by granting these pardons would be immense, and of profound benefit.
Our largest federal expenditures are military ($800 Billion), Medicare ($1.6 Trillion), other mandatory spending: Social Security, Medicaid, Child Health Insurance and insurance subsidies ($2.5 trillion). These expenditures would be eclipsed by the economic boon of restoring 70 million individuals’ ability to contribute to the economy. Said pardons would stop this stated “Decline” of our country. Our federal deficit of $32 trillion could be wiped out in 10 years with this additional $4.2 trillion.If President Trump were willing to provide pardons to the 70 million Americans who want to work and contribute to our society, it would be the greatest restorative act of all Presidents. It would allow the country to be put in better standing by its felons. It would be the most optimistic, courageous and realistic attempt by a president to advance the country and its citizens.
Abraham Lincoln emancipated millions of slaves. Andrew Johnson pardoned the confederacy and every slaveholder. Joe Biden pardoned his family. Donald Trump pardoned 1,500 insurrectionists. The people of the United States, and the country as a whole deserve the benefit of Federal Pardons, as that constitutional power belongs to ALL THE PEOPLE.
Democratic administrations had this opportunity. Donald Trump led boldly and correctly in the sphere of prison reform with the CARES act, and the First Step Act. We now ask that he act boldly again, just as he did for the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. If he will grant full, absolute, complete and unconditional pardons to millions of people who paid their debt to society, he will eclipse the successes of most presidents, and he will justly be considered as one of our greatest leaders.
A new life “on earth as it is in heaven” is the constitution’s greatest power.
Fmr. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. served as the Representative of the 2nd Cong. District of Illinois from 1995 to 2012. He is the author of the Finger of God, from the Lineage of David to the Presidency of the United States.
Dr. Michael B Jones.
Cardiologist.