Just How Much Flesh is Enough?

Recently the highly conservative Florida Supreme Court ignored the desires of sixty-six percent of its people who had voted and approved an amendment, which would have allowed ex-cons the right to vote without financial repayments for committed crimes. Evidently it's not enough to 'serve time' for your crime but when you get out of prison the felon, who will have difficulty getting a job must make  financial re-payment.

My question is similar to that of William Shakespeare's in his play 'Merchant of Venice.' "Take thou thy pound of flesh," said Portia to Shylock. But later in the play Shakespeare's suggests that the law can establish unreasonable recompense. How vengeful, bloodthirsty and inflexible must society be in seeking the 'pound of flesh?'

In the late 1990's seven Decatur, Illinois African-American boys got into a public altercation at a high school football game. You may have seen video clips of the incident because the story went nationwide due to the school districts implied 'zero tolerance policy,' which resulted in some of the youngsters being suspended from school for two-years and Rev. Jessie Jackson getting involved. By the way, it wasn't a very good fight; mostly running and kicking at one another. East St. Louis fights at Parsons' Field Football Complex were much more memorable.

As a parent and a high school coach, I punished wrong-doing quickly, briefly, sufficiently and got the youngster back on track. I suppose the hard-nosed folks out there are chopping at the bit to toss that 'liberal label' my way. Well, you all have at it but understand the book I read on this subject tells me to execute true judgment showing mercy and compassion to every brother and sister.

I have two questions: How much flesh is too much? And...Are we not happy that Jesus-Christ does not have a 'zero-tolerance' policy?

Footnote: Regarding the Florida Supreme Court's decision to keep 10,000 felons from voting...well, those conservative folks fear that most would be voting for Democrats. Never mind 49% of Florida voters found forgiveness in their hearts for the many immoral and fraudulent indiscretions of Donald J. Trump in 2016.