>We need to fix the problems in minority communities that lead the young men into lives of crime. We have more minorities committing crimes because more of them are in desperate situations. This is where I differ from conservatives - I say help them out. Don't leave em there and do nothing.

There is no such thing as "fixing" people. You can never "save" a person from the life they choose to leave. The most you can hope to do is create opportunities for those that will, to help themselves.

You can't fix an alcoholic. You can make AA and rehab available.
You can't fix a drug addict. You can make NA and rehab available.
You can't fix a gang-banger. You can make vo-tech and college accessible.

In the end a person's genetics and parenting have 95% to do with who they turn out to be. Society's 5% impact is negligible and expensive - but worth it for those 5% that choose to improve themselves.