| Who is George W. Bush? | |
created for Election 2000; not updated
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Tough on crime that would seem to describe Governor Bush. During his term Texas' juvenile and overall crime rate declined. Stronger laws for both crimes and the parole system are part of the equation.
Bush credits a stronger juvenile justice system that now includes longer, tougher sentences, lowering of the age (to 14) that violent juveniles can be tried as adults, making juvenile records more accessible to law enforcement, and more funding for juvenile crime prevention programs.
Similar strides for adult crimes include the abolishment of mandatory release, "two strikes and you're out" law for sex offenders, making stalking a criminal offense, and lowering of the legal blood alcohol level for motorists from .10 to .08 percent.
Death Penalty
Bush supports capital punishment. He doesn't grant clemency easily and only in cases where there may be a degree of doubt as to guilt or if there is some legal lapse in procedure. Professions of remorse or pleas for mercy don't sway him believing that "judgments about the heart and soul of an individual on death row are best left to a higher authority" and his responsibility is to ensure fair and non-preferential enforcement of the law.
"In his 5 years as governor, Bush has presided over the executions of 111 men & 1 woman, far more than any other governor. By any measure, his commitment to capital punishment is unquestioned."
New York Times, Jim Yardley
Criminal Rehabilitation
One program which Bush created aimed at criminal rehabilitation rather than punishment is InnerChange. Just as Bush supports the teaching of morals and values in schools, he also advocates a similar approach in our criminal justice system. This Prison Ministry Program is a 24-hour-a-day, Bible- and value-based prerelease program. The 3-phase program begins prior to release and continues for up to a year after release. It is aimed at "helping inmates achieve spiritual and moral transformation."
"Crime and religion are age-old enemies, and a fast-growing body of empirical data shows the power of faith to target antisocial values and curb recidivism. Experts have determined that church attendance and other religious influences combat crime more than any other variable." |
Gun Control
While Bush supports some restrictions, in general he supports the basic right to gun ownership. Below are his stance on a few specific gun control issues.
"Im in favor of keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldnt have them like felons & juveniles. Im for enforcing the laws on the books.... We need to send a signal to people, dont be illegally selling guns and dont be illegally using guns. The best accountability for somebody who breaks the law with a gun is called jail, certain jail."
George W. Bush, Des Moines IA GOP Debate, Decemember 13, 1999
- Guns for hunting and personal protection: YES
- Raise legal age for gun ownership to 21: YES
- Mandatory child-safety locks on guns: NO
- Right to carry concealed weapon: YES
- Ban certain types of ammunition: YES
- Sue gun manufacturers for gun violence: NO
- Ban on assault weapons: YES
- Background checks (for purchasing firearms): YES
- Waiting periods (as in the Brady Act): NO
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