TO THE EDITOR:
Regarding "Hot-wired: Lawyers not backing off their class-action suit against Hyundai, Kia," autonews.com, March 3: If you happen to be an owner of a Hyundai or Kia vehicle with a key-turn ignition, you should stop reading this now and check your driveway. A youth may have stolen your car as part of a social media challenge.
Now don't jump to conclusions and blame the offender — it's not their fault — it's the manufacturer's for making the vehicle "easier to steal."
Hyundai and Kia are defending class-action lawsuits because apparently anti-theft technology is not keeping up with the cultural rot plaguing our youth.
They have no fear because there are no consequences. Punishment is almost nonexistent.
For youth in a civil society, fear married to consequences will germinate into respect for authority. That respect will eventually grow to reverence.
Punishment should begin in the home, be administered in school and be carried out in our legal system.
A local district judge told me that sentencing guidelines prevent him from doling out punishments he would like to administer. Our lawmakers should take note.
I know many business owners who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars from embezzlement, and the offender gets no jail time. What's fair about that? Will they re-offend? Who knows, but it sends a clear message to the next offender — whether embezzler, burglar or car thief — it's worth the risk because chain gangs are a relic of the past.
PAUL CLABORN, President, WholeSaleCars.com Corp. Albertville, Ala.
