Think about it.... if a thousand people riot and set fire and break windows, it's often too hectic to actually arrest anyone..unless there's clear video proof. If hundreds of illegal immigrants mob a poorly staffed checkpoint, most of them will get by. If 5000 people are blowing vuvuzelas, you don't have much chance of shusshing them.

I read that California is about to give hundreds of non-violent prisoners early release because they need cell space for more 'serious' offenders.

And when there are dozens....if not hundreds.... of possible crimes documented from G.W. Bush and Cheney and Alberto Gonzalez on down, the idea of investigating and prosecuting any becomes an exercise in futility. If they DID 'get' a few, after months of spending many $$$$ and distracting the press, people would say "hey, look at the ones
you missed!".

I'm betting that 'certain' conservatives are quite aware of the situation, and push the limits when they see any political hay to be made.

In the same way, the current torrent of 'over-the-top' ads, accusations, slogans, interviews and just plain scare tactics the Republicans are deluging us with are designed to harden their base, and win 'just enough' fence-sitters.....and truth and accuracy be damned! The assertations of 'socialism' and '1st amendment scares' and 'Obamacare' and.... a dozen more... don't NEED to be proven. They just toss 'em out and hope the Democrats will wear themselves out running around fighting brushfires and forgetting how to go on the offensive!

All's fair in love, war & politics? Crap!