Political Quotes

“each of us here in the House knows that it is time to get serious about crime. That is why it is so astonishing when you uncover little tidbits like this one, from a letter circulated among House Republicans. In it, the writer says that if Republicans can defeat the crime bill, they can, ``give the crime issue back to Republicans for the upcoming elections.'' While the American people know that crime control is a matter of life and death, there is apparently a sympathetic audience among Republicans who think that it is just politics. We are free to disagree on what we think are the best ways to control crime in this country, but I think the American people would appreciate it if we would think a little more about locking up criminals, and a little less about locking up elections. We have an opportunity to deal with the crime issue head-on, by passing the crime bill--today. We are all ready to be tough on crime. The key, however, lies in being both though and smart. This crime bill is both.”