In the early 20th century, Will Rogers was a well-known American actor, comedian, and social critic. He was skilled at addressing weighty social issues with wit and irony. One of his frequently cited theories centers on a nontraditional strategy for combating crime.

Think of crime as an obstinate weed that persists despite your best efforts to eradicate it from its source. Rogers proposed a different approach to the issue rather than attempting to eradicate this invasive weed indefinitely using conventional techniques. Instead of battling the weed directly, why not acknowledge its existence and find strategies to manage its spread?

Rogers was pushing for a change in thinking, suggesting that legalization be taken into consideration as a way to better regulate crime rather than concentrating on the impractical goal of completely eliminating it. In the same way that regulating industries results in safer working conditions and higher standards, the idea was to bring criminal activities into the open where they could be more successfully monitored and controlled.

The idea also calls for high taxes on these activities, making them unfeasible for those who engage in them because of their high expenses. It's similar to erecting a fence around a field full of thorny bushes; instead of attempting to remove every thorn, which is practically impossible, you ensure that people stay away from the area completely due to the expense and inconvenience.

In his writings, Will Rogers frequently employed satire and comedy to question social mores and put forth opposing views. This strategy is reflected in his crime quote, which questions accepted ideas about how society should address enduring problems like criminal activity.