Liberalism, Reaganism and the Presidential Campaign

I’m tired of all this talk about being “tough on crime.” We’ve had a “tough on crime” policy for the last eight years and in California a double dose with Gov. George Deukmejian. Nevertheless, we have a skyrocketing crime rate, more jails, more people in jail--to the point of bursting seams, and, alas, more criminals on the streets. The home security and gun manufacturing businesses are booming, but no American is safer from crime now than he was eight years ago. “Tough on crime” has failed.

Perhaps it’s time to adopt a “smart about crime” policy, instead.

VIRGINIA RUNNION

West Hollywood