URBAN ISSUES - ANTI-TERRORISM
Edwards proposes a $50 billion aid package to cities and states, including $10 billion specifically for homeland security efforts.
Although Edwards voted for the U.S. Patriot Act, which gives government and law enforcement officials broader use of surveillance in an effort to fight terrorism, he now says it should be amended to protect civil liberties.
Kerry proposes a federal program that would reimburse cities for costs of increased emergency and security efforts during times of high national security alert. He also advocates for a fund to hire 100,000 new firefighters across the country and give them updated communication equipment. He would make security a higher priority for the National Guard and AmeriCorps.
Although Kerry voted for the U.S. Patriot Act, which gives government and law enforcement officials broader use of surveillance in an effort to fight terrorism, he now says it should be amended to protect civil liberties.
Kucinich advocates cutting the Pentagon budget by 15 percent and spending the money on a Department of Peace that would work internationally and locally to reduce violence.
Kucinich would repeal the U.S. Patriot Act, which gives government and law enforcement officials broader use of surveillance in an effort to fight terrorism.
Sharpton would decrease military spending and focus on diplomatic efforts to win peace at home.
He would repeal the U.S. Patriot Act, which gives government and law enforcement officials broader use of surveillance in an effort to fight terrorism.
President Bush created the federal Department of Homeland Security after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The department provides some funding for state and local governments to help cover the costs of increased security. In the past two years, the Department of Homeland Security has provided New York City with $180 million to fund antiterrorism programs. President Bush promised to increase funding by 10 percent next year. Many officials in New York City say that the federal funding has not even come close to covering New York City's expenses. New York currently receives fewer homeland security dollars per person than 48 other states and American Samoa.
Bush signed the U.S. Patriot Act, which gives government and law enforcement officials broader use of surveillance in an effort to fight terrorism. He says the act is needed to fight the war on terrorism, but critics say it violates civil liberties and unfairly discriminates against immigrants.
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GOTHAM GAZETTE’S RELATED ARTICLES
• Urban Agenda: Anti-Terrorism Funding
• Security and New York City
• Debating the Patriot Act
• Patriot Act and Banking
• Special Registration
URBAN ISSUES - CRIME
• Gun Laws
• Policing/Sentencing
• Death Penalty
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Edwards opposes granting gun makers immunity from civil lawsuits. He supports background checks at gun shows that are required for other gun sales.
Edwards supports the Community Oriented Policing Program that would put over 100,000 officers on the streets. He also urges the reform of probation and parole system to give more supervision to offenders released from prison. Edwards promises to end racial profiling in law enforcement.
Edwards supports the death penalty.
Kerry opposes granting gun makers immunity from civil lawsuits. He supports background checks at gun shows that are required for other gun sales.
Kerry supports the Community Oriented Policing Program that would put over 100,000 police officers on the streets. He supports increased funding for drug rehabilitation programs, increased supervision for offenders after they are released from prison, and proposes a commission to review sentencing laws in order to assure that the penalties are appropriate to the crimes.
Kerry opposes the death penalty, except for terrorists.
Kucinich opposes granting gun makers immunity from civil lawsuits. He supports background checks at gun shows that are required for other gun sales.
Kucinich does not support funding for the Community Oriented Policing Program. He supports vocational, job training, and job placement for inmates coming out of prison. He supports programs for drug treatment and reduced sentences for non-violent offenders. Kucinich advocates for programs for at-risk youth and imposing stricter penalties for white-collar crimes.
Kucinich opposes the death penalty.
Sharpton opposes granting gun makers immunity from civil lawsuits. He supports background checks at gun shows that are required for other gun sales.
Sharpton does not support funding for the Community Oriented Policing Program. He supports vocational and job training for inmates coming out of prison. He supports programs for drug treatment and reduced sentences for non-violent offenders. He supports programs for at-risk youth and imposing stricter penalties for white-collar crimes. He promises to end racial profiling by police officers.
Sharpton opposes the death penalty.
Bush opposes granting gun makers immunity from civil lawsuits. He supports background checks at gun shows that are required for other gun sales.
Bush cut funding for the Community Oriented Policing Program, which some critics say hurt local police departments. Bush created a Project Safe Neighborhoods program aims to increase communication between federal and local authorities by establishing a specific contact person within the district U.S. attorney’s office who will ensure that local areas receive information and resources.
Bush supports the death penalty.
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GOTHAM GAZETTE’S RELATED ARTICLES
• Federal Government and Crime
• Suing for Gun Control
• Death Penalty and Parole Reform
• Repeat Offenders
Edwards supports reform of current immigration policy to create “a clear road map to legalization and citizenship for undocumented immigrants who work hard and follow the law.” He supports increased security on the U.S./Mexico border to protect against illegal immigration. He supports an earned legalization program to help working immigrants gain citizenship more quickly.
Kerry supports reform of current immigration policy. He supports efforts to restore benefits to legal immigrants and legislation for undocumented young people have grown up and graduated from high school in the U.S. He believes the naturalization process for legal permanent residents serving in the Armed Forces should be expedited. Kerry supports a proposal that will allow undocumented immigrants to legalize their status if they have been in the United States for a certain amount of time, have been working, and can pass a background check. He also calls for increased funding for border enforcement to ensure that only legal immigrants can enter the country.
Kucinich promises to legalize the status of tax-paying undocumented workers in the U.S. He supports a partnership with Mexico to control the flow of immigrants into the country.
Sharpton would relax restrictions barring legal immigrants from taking part in programs like public housing and food stamps.
In January 2004, Bush outlined a new policy that would give a temporary 3-year work visas to immigrants who are willing to take a job that no American wants. The proposal would require employers to sponsor a worker and the visa would have to be renewed. Bush's policy comes after several years of more stringent immigration regulations, including requiring visitors from certain countries to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Many immigrant advocates in New York criticized Bush's new plan, saying it would give too much power to employers and could potentially deport people after they have already worked for years.
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GOTHAM GAZETTE’S RELATED ARTICLES
• Urban Agenda: Immigration
• Bush's Temporary Worker Program
• Citizenship and Voting
• Immigrant Soldiers
• Special Registration