Or maybe they are happy where they are. No one will be punished if they just leave. The same social safety net would apply to them even if they just renounced the faith and just end that lifestyle. So far doesn't seem to be the case.

Wrong. When women leave their sisters and others left behind are punished. It is a clear signal that if you leave, someone will pay for it. Get a clue about the FLDS, would you? I'm not talking about other polygamists, I'm talking about Warren Jeffs FLDS. And try reading some of what the women who did leave have to say about it there. One women left with her 8 kids, just before her oldest daughter turned 14. Why do you think that is? Why not read her book, "Escape"? Her last name is Jessup if you are interested in what someone who lived there for many, many years has to say about it. And please don't bother to respond that if she left, she's bitter and can't be trusted to tell the truth. It is the truth if you would bother to think about it, instead of you knee jerk reaction in defense of the men running things there.

If it was that bad, the others would leave too. I haven't read a single one of your heinous allegations that seems to apply to THIS case. Just a bunch of bullshit you've read and wish applied. Unfortunately, the CPS also fell for that bullshit and gut slapped upside the head when the truth of the matter is that these are people who live differently than the rest of us, but pretty much are happy with their lives. If life in the FLDS was as bad as you claimed, there would be SOME defection from some of the 10,000 or so members other than the few that it is obvious why they left. Some people are just misfits. But hey continue your allegations, it's just showing the type of thinking that led to this unfounded mess that is costing the state of Texas $14 million dollars.

Try reading some of the history of the FLDS and the tactics they use. Your always defending their right to abuse their kids, because they are a little different then we are in their beliefs. Texas screwed up. That doesn't mean that there isn't rampant abuse going on. It jsut means that they are very good at hiding it. People have left, but you haven't taken the time to read anything about their positions. You automatically write off what they say, because that is what you want to believe. And actual people who left and their stories is not "bullshit", it is first hand reporting.

I'm not defending the lifestyle itself. I'm defending their right to not be harassed by the law. I am dealing with THIS situation, not stuff from people in the past. And so far in THIS situation, nothing you have alleged, from the abuse to the welfare fraud has turned out to be true.

The evidence wasn't found, that does not mean it isn't true. When you listen to ex-members and what happened to them in the FLDS, you might see it the way it really is. And this Texas group is the Warren Jeffs FLDS. They have hidden their crimes well and had a long time to figure out the best ways to protect themselves from law enforcement. That will not last forever.

Constitutional is also innocent until proven guilty. Constitutional is also that information from those "ex-members" can't be used to convict people when no proof of wrongdoing is found. Changing and creating specific laws to "protect" people that don't want to be protected is persecution.

The problem is, you don't know who wants to be protected and who doesn't. You have to take the words of those who are subject to the whims of the men and the FLDS leadership, and the men and the leaderships word for it. And of course, Jeffs is in jail for a reason, isn't he?

Not for statutory rape or the crimes you accuse him of.

And you have to follow the procedures set in place. In this case no "abuse" was found. Not even a bunch of pregnant 13 and 14 year old waddling around.

Yes, he is in jail for accomplice to rape. Because of the situation with the girl who was forced to marry her first cousin. And she was with the Texas CPS when they raided the compound.