Between Hope and History: on Crime

More police, punishment, & prevention

The most fundamental responsibility of any government is to protect the safety of its citizens. All of the other things government does amount to very little if it fails in this task.

We will never eliminate the darkness that lurks in human nature; there will never be a time when there is no crime, no violence in America. My goal is to create an America where news of a serious crime [is a reason for] surprise and shock, not inevitable acceptance.

police, punishment,

prevention.

My 1994 Crime Bill is fulfilling my commitment to put 100,000 new police officers on the street to strengthen community policing.
Good policing needs to be matched with tough punishment, [like] our Anti-Terrorism Bill and “three strikes” laws.
And we must prevent crime before it happens, [like with] the Brady Bill and the new National Drug Control Strategy.

Source: Between Hope and History, by Bill Clinton, p. 75-81 Jan 1, 1996

Three Strikes and You’re Out for violent criminals

Our 1994 Crime Bill and, more recently, our Anti-Terrorism Bill have matched good policing with tough punishment. We have pushed states to adopt the rule the government uses on federal prisoners, that requires them to serve 85% of their sentence without parole. For those who commit violent crimes repeatedly, we have made “three strikes and you’re out” the law of the land. Source: Between Hope and History, by Bill Clinton, p. 80 Jan 1, 1996

Death penalty for 60 violent crimes

We expanded the application of the death penalty for nearly sixty violent crimes, including murder of a federal law enforcement officer, and limited excessive death row appeals. And we have stiffened sentences for drug offenders and told those involved with drug activities in public housing projects they only get one strike. Public housing is a privilege; abuse it and you’re out. Source: Between Hope and History, by Bill Clinton, p. 80 Jan 1, 1996

*The above quotations are from Between Hope and History: Meeting America's Challenges for the 21st Century, by Bill Clinton.* Click here for definitions & background information on Crime. Click here for more quotes by Bill Clinton on Crime.
*2008 Presidential contenders on Crime:*
*Republicans:* Mayor Rudy Giuliani Gov.Mike Huckabee Rep.Duncan Hunter Sen.John McCain Rep.Ron Paul Gov.Mitt Romney Sen.Fred Thompson Gov.Tommy Thompson	*Democrats:* Sen.Hillary Clinton Sen.John Edwards Sen.Mike Gravel Rep.Dennis Kucinich Sen.Barack Obama	*Third Parties:* Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Socialist: Brian Moore Independent: Mayor Mike Bloomberg
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