Jimmy Carter on Crime

President of the U.S., 1977-1981; Former Democratic Governor (GA)

Jails are filled with poor; focus on white-collar crime

I visited Georgia’s prisons many times, and almost all the inmates I met there were poor. Poor people aren’t the only ones to commit crimes, but they seem to be the only ones who go to prison.

The corporate criminal, the white-collar criminal, too often get off with a slap on the wrist. This only causes contempt for the whole concept of equal justice. White-collar crime costs this country at least $40 billion a year. Yet there hasn’t been a single felony indictment for price-fixing under Mr. Ford.

Source: Campaign Speech in Detroit, in “Good As Its People,” p. 220 , Oct 15, 1976

Crime reflects a sickness in society

Every time a person goes back to prison as a repeat offender, it is a sign that our prisons have failed. I believe we can reduce the percentage of failures and at the same time reduce the amount of crime. Presidential leadership can make a difference.

We can make our existing crime-fighting programs more efficient and effective. We can have a stronger economy, and more jobs for our people, and that will lessen crime.

I think our country’s leaders, beginning with the President, can set an example and set a tone that will increase respect for the law and increase the sense of national unity, and that can lessen crime in America.

Crime reflects sickness in a society. Working together, we can make ours a more healthy society, one in which we need not live our lives in fear. I intend, as President, to provide the leadership that will turn the tide against the scourge of crime.

Source: Campaign Speech, Detroit, in “Good As Its People,” p. 220-1 , Oct 15, 1976

Click here for definitions & background information on Crime. Click here for a profile of Jimmy Carter. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Jimmy Carter. Click here for AmericansElect.org quiz by Jimmy Carter.
*Other candidates on Crime:*	*Jimmy Carter on other issues:*
*Former Presidents:* George W. Bush(R,2001-2009) Bill Clinton(D,1993-2001) George Bush Sr.(R,1989-1993) Ronald Reagan(R,1981-1989) Jimmy Carter(D,1977-1981) Gerald Ford(R,1974-1977) Richard Nixon(R,1969-1974) Lyndon Johnson(D,1963-1969) John F. Kennedy(D,1961-1963) *Former Contenders:* V.P.Al Gore Pat Buchanan V.P.Dick Cheney Sen.Bob Dole Ralph Nader Gov.Sarah Palin *Political Thinkers:* Noam Chomsky Milton Friedman Arianna Huffington Rush Limbaugh Tea Party Ayn Rand Secy.Robert Reich Donald Trump Gov.Jesse Ventura	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty

Page last updated: Dec 16, 2011