Lots of commentary on Twitter about Pres. Trump's clemency actions over the past few days. Some commentators saying the pardon power should be limited because of how it is being abused. Others say the authority is too important to curtail just because it is misused sometimes.

I am with the latter, of course, and have seen how clemency can save lives. I have been fortunate to meet a lot of the people serving life sentences who had their terms commuted by President Obama. One sits on FAMM's board.

Ultimately, the future of executive clemency might depend on how important the public thinks it is, and part of that assessment will depend on whether people think it corrects injustices or creates them. After reading a lot of commentary these past few days...

I asked some people who have loved ones in federal prison what they think of clemency and whether they think the process is fair. I promised not to share names. Here is a sample of what people wrote:

1. "I think it is unfair. Only the "connected" get pardoned or have their sentences commuted. The common Joe doesn't stand a chance unless they have a high dollar lawyer, know someone politically connected or their case was a high profile case. I think cases should be reviewed...

by someone outside the BOP and someone who is not politically connected in order to make it fair for everyone."

2. "I wish I didn't have to know Kim Kardashian to get the president's attention."

3. "It's all about who your connection is and who you know. Look at the pardons, all people known by the President. What about us little people who need loved ones out for nonviolent petty drug charges? It will never be fair."

4. "Clemency and pardons are words and actions that are held in such high esteem. President Trump has managed to degrade the process and it is now looked at as a game amongst the elites. People have no idea the waiting, emotions, hard work and effort go into the clemency process"

5. "I think the entire process needs an overhaul. It needs to be taken seriously as people's lives are at stake. Currently, it seems to be treated as a media opportunity. Unless you have connections or are high profile, you aren't even a player in the game."

6. "Trump pardoned the ones he heard about and knew how unjust it was. Connections have always been the way to getting jobs to getting pardons. Not that it's right but happy for those who received pardons."

7. "I was reading about the history of the pardon power, and it was never intended to be be used the way it is today...to pardon corrupt allies of the President. The Supreme Court assumed that any President that would abuse the pardon in that way would be impeached....

"They unfortunately did not anticipate Presidents, like Clinton and Trump, who would already be impeached, yet not removed from office, using the pardon power to protect their friends, political cronies, and co-conspirators."

8. "It's a fact - pardons and commutations = money/connections. There is no justice for the less than wealthy/connected."

9. "Not fair at all. The chances of a regular person's case making it to the president's desk are slim to none. Our loved ones sit in prison on far lesser charges than those being pardoned. Many of these pardons are a slap in the face."

10. "Watching this circus play out has forever changed so many families. It has hardened us to an even further extent. They think our inmates don't have cable TV available? We are held prisoner to watch our loved ones suffer and inmates are terrified for their lives. They watch..

"the ambulance return to facilities daily for hospital transports. They watch their bunkies drop like flies from this virus and then watch Trump the virus denier and executor in chief pardon his friends and family!!! This is the type of shit that radicalizes people."

That's a good sampling of what families shared. Their views could change if the president in the coming days commutes a lot more sentences of people who don't have money or connections. That would help. Otherwise, the cynicism will get worse and undermine support for clemency.

Those of us who support a robust exercise of clemency must acknowledge that perceived unfairness will hurt our cause. Yes, we need more grants, but that's not enough. We need a better system that people can believe in, especially the people with the most skin in the game.