The War on Justice

Criminal Justice

There is a pressing, multi-pronged war on criminal justice in America today. The situation is urgent. We are not safe. We are not secure. A recent Gallup poll reflects that 63% of Americans now believe the U.S. crime problem is profoundly severe and getting worse, while almost 1 in 3 households report they have been victimized by crime. Other polls reflect that 70% of Americans distrust the FBI, America’s premier law enforcement agency whose mission is to protect and serve.

Listen Up, These Thought Leaders Get It

Many respected thought leaders, past and present, along with millions of Americans, recognize that justice is essential to a democracy. In fact, democracy cannot survive without an effective criminal justice system that upholds the Rule of Law, equal justice for all, the Constitution, and the principles of freedom, truth, liberty, and equality. Justice is not just a lofty ideal but the very foundation that supports and sustains democracy itself.

Aristotle was a brilliant ancient Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great, and arguably the greatest thought leader of all time. His writings cover a vast range of topics, including justice, ethics, politics, metaphysics, logic, and science. Aristotle's work laid the groundwork for much Western philosophy and science, with notable contributions to the concept of justice, democracy, and the role of law in society.

He said, "The rule of law is more than just a safeguard against tyranny; it is the essential framework within which justice and liberty can flourish." He also opined, "The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles, and when citizens cease to uphold the ideals of justice and virtue, the state is imperiled."

John Locke was a prominent English philosopher and political theorist, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers whose views significantly shaped modern democratic thought and laid the groundwork for concepts such as individual liberty, private property, and the social contract. Locke's philosophy emphasized the importance of reason, empirical evidence, and the inherent rights of individuals to life, liberty, and property.

Lock said, "Justice is the bond of society, and when justice is destroyed, society inevitably falls into disorder and confusion."

Mark Twain was a prominent American writer, humorist, and social critic. His works often address social issues such as racism, inequality, and the human condition, making him a keen observer of justice and democracy. He emphasizes the importance of justice, moral responsibility within a democracy, and the vigilance required to protect freedoms from internal and external threats.

He said, "A healthy democracy requires a well-informed populace that actively participates in the political process, demanding transparency and accountability from its leaders." He opined, "The rule of law must be maintained as the bedrock of a free society, ensuring that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice."

Alexander Fraser Tyler is often cited for his observations on the cycles of democracy, suggesting that democracies are inherently temporary and progress through stages from liberty to eventual tyranny.

Tyler stated, “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury.’ Despite the controversy surrounding his later years, disgraced former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired, and controversial current FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose Directorship at the FBI is in jeopardy, should heed his admonitions.

He further opined that the average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been about two hundred years since the beginning of history. During those two hundred years, these nations always progressed through a predictable sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith, From spiritual faith to great courage, From courage to liberty, From liberty to abundance, From abundance to selfishness, From selfishness to complacency, From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.

J. Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He is credited with building the FBI into a world-famous crime-fighting agency by rooting our corruption, hiring the best and the brightest, maintaining rigid discipline, conducting dogged investigations, ?and instituting modern investigative techniques to fight crime. ?

Hoover emphasized the critical role of law and order and strict adherence to constitutional principles to ensure justice and democracy. He saw the FBI as the guardian of justice, insisting that justice is served only when the whole truth is revealed. Hoover stressed that law enforcement must operate with fairness, integrity, and respect for civil liberties, as internal corruption poses a more significant threat to democracy than external enemies. Effective crime-fighting requires cooperation among all law enforcement bodies and the support of the American people. Upholding law and order and exposing systemic issues are vital to protecting our democracy.

Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, was a champion of justice and democracy. Her balanced jurisprudence, commitment to individual rights, and advocacy for civic education have strengthened the foundations of American society. She ensured that the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law continue to protect and empower all Americans, contributing to a safer, more secure, and more democratic nation.

Her opinions often emphasized the role of state governments in the American democratic system, ensuring that local authorities retained the ability to address issues pertinent to their citizens. Her insistence on due process ensured that government actions during times of national crisis did not trample on constitutional rights, thus safeguarding the democratic principles upon which the nation was founded. She founded the iCivics program to educate young Americans about the functioning of government and the importance of active civic engagement.

She said, "The rule of law is the foundation upon which all of our freedoms are built," and "The framers of the Constitution knew that free speech is the friend of change and revolution. They also knew that it is always the deadliest enemy of tyranny."

Jordan Peterson, a modern-day thought leader, author, and clinical psychologist with millions of followers, is an influential, prominent thought leader. He warns about today's breakdown of democracy and justice. He emphasizes ethical conduct, individual responsibility, and the dangers of identity politics and equity-driven policies. In “12 Rules of Life, an Antidote to Chaos”, he encourages us to stand up and take responsibility for shaping our democracy and justice system.

He said, "Justice, in its truest form, is the equal application of rules that transcend personal biases and preferences, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect."

Bill Barr, a recent U.S. Attorney General, warned that we now face “… many critical problems, including deregulation, crime, restoring law and order, restoring control over our borders, rebuilding our defense in this increasingly dangerous world and standing by our allies.” He went on to say that another term for the current administration would be “national suicide.”

And Barr is a force to be reckoned with. His career is marked by significant contributions to the criminal justice system, both during his terms as Attorney General and in his various roles in the private sector. For example, he oversaw the investigation of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing; played a vital role in the response to the Los Angeles riots in 1992; supported tough anti-crime policies, including the Anti-Drug Abuse Act; oversaw the federal response to civil unrest in 2020; implemented initiatives to address violent crime and drug trafficking; played a significant role in shaping U.S. justice policy during his terms as Attorney General; and advocated for strong law enforcement and tough-on-crime policies. Barr emphasizes the impartial application of justice, the importance of maintaining trust in democratic institutions, and the dangers posed by the erosion of the rule of law.

He said, "The greatest threat to our nation is the erosion of the rule of law, where political and social pressures influence legal outcomes, undermining the foundation of our democratic system." He also opined, "To preserve our democracy, we must uphold the principles of free speech, religious freedom, and the fair administration of justice, resisting any attempts to erode these fundamental rights."

Lastly, Victor Davis Hanson, author of twenty books, including “The End of Everything" and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institute at Standford University, explores the impacts of wars and social-political conflicts throughout history. His analysis warns that modern societies, like the United States, are not immune to destruction if lessons from the past are ignored. He emphasizes the importance of justice, active participation in democracy, and the internal threats that could undermine American society.

He said, "The greatest threat to America today is not external enemies but internal decay—a loss of confidence in our institutions, a weakening of our civic bonds, and an abandonment of the principles that made us strong." He also opined, "The rule of law is the bedrock of a functioning society; without it, justice becomes arbitrary, and democracy loses its foundation. We must ensure that the law is applied equally to all, without fear or favor." #justice #criminal justice system #crime #FBI #dueprocess #constitution #equaljusticeforall #safesecurecommunities