It’s not every day that one sees Koch Industries and the Center for American Progress on the same side of an issue. In fact, the groups often hold views that are diametrically opposed.
So it was somewhat gratifying to see the groups join others in an effort that we have long supported: criminal justice reform.
Their aim, as reported in a , is to create a large national effort to reduce prison populations, overhaul sentencing and bring down recidivism.
All of these are worthy goals, to be sure, and having backers from the far right and far left of the political spectrum should help proponents navigate a divided political landscape.
All too often, reform proposals are judged by their supporters, not their content. Diverse support eases that dynamic and encourages the examination of policy.
The newly formed Coalition for Public Safety has a long and difficult road ahead of it. Criminal justice reform isn’t exactly untilled ground.
Yet, it’s a valuable effort and one that might also prove how disparate players can comfortably share a piece of common ground.
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