Affluenza is not real. 'Affluenza' is the ridiculous defense that provides the wealthy ways to escape the consequences that others face for the same crime. A University of California, Berkley study shows that the more money a person makes, the more detached they become from morality. Turns out being rich not only increases the likelihood of experiencing entitled behavior, lying, and stealing at work; it also prevents them from suffering the consequences of their actions.

For example, retired NASA astronaut from Huntsville, AL, James Halsell Jr. was charged with killing two young sisters in a drinking and driving accident. He spent less than 24 hours in jail. In fact, he's still out driving on the road with a legal license and it's not even his first DUI. Who cares about his achievements as an astronaut? If it weren't for his status, he would be definitely not be driving, and he would most likely be in jail.

Although it made national news, another NASA employee avoided jail for leaving their 7-month-old baby in a hot car at work. Becuase it happened on federal property, their name and gender remain confidential. My question is why do they deserve privacy? Others would likely have their image blasted all over the news. A helpless child died because of their carelessness and they were never even charged. Why was Florida firefighter, Troy Whitaker charged with manslaughter the day after leaving his son in the car while this NASA employee has avoided jail for over three months?

We need to stop saying the jails are filled with poor minorities because they're the ones committing the crimes. This is not the case. The most large-scale crimes are the ones we don't hear about. Our prisons are prisons of poverty. The so-called justice system is too focused on having a good defense attorney rather than having equal consequences for all. Poor people who struggle to make ends meet get caught and go to jail for stealing things they need for survival like bread and diapers. While the wealthy find ways to bend the law just to avoid the consequences of getting caught. And even if they do get caught, they can afford to work the system.

The same rich CEO's that have been hiring and underpaying illegals for years are the same hypocrites believing that building a wall is a great idea to push them out. Because to these individuals, they aren't human beings. They are capital. Becuase it's not about equal treatment for all. American justice operates under two different systems for rich and poor. Becuase the justice system isn't about justice; it's about what this entire country was built on. Capital.

We live in a world where poor people can be arrested for nearly any crime, while Ethan Couch gets off with a slap on the wrist for killing four people while drunk driving because his 'Affluenza' prevented him from knowing right from wrong. It's time to stop giving wealthy people a get out of jail free card when they break the law. We should be angry. It all just gets swept under the rug. When will we stop seeing human beings with a dollar sign attachment? Progress won't be made until we start treating criminals, rich and poor, all the same.