First off I want to say the majority of people that are quick to denounce this bill, and put it all on Biden either weren't born in '94 or to young to even know what was going on around them. The climate in 1994 was much different from the climate of today. So in part, I don't think its fair to judge this bill in hindsight based on todays climate.
The black community was not against this bill, in fact they were largely in favor of it. The gang violence was out of control in plenty of cities. The crack/cocaine epidemic was seemingly out of control as well. See we as black people vilified addictions when we should have treated it more like the opoid "crisis" and sought avenues to get these people help. Instead we wanted them off our streets asap by any means necessary. The church played its part in supporting this bill as well, most of the mega pastors clamored for it, so we as a community deserve some blame for this bill as well.
There were good parts of the bill. The Violence Against Womens Act, there was a provision for background checks on guns. Also it should be noted when it came to prison sentences the bill only affected sentencing on the Federal level only. It did provide funding to states to build more prisons, and hire more police but non federal crime sentencing was still handled at a state level. It did provide funding for states to adopt "Truth in Sentencing" that resulted in longer prison sentencing at the state level but this was only carried out by a few states.There was also funding for treatment for people suffering from drug addiction.
Now for balance Biden was also part of some bad bills that were written like the Comprehensive Control Act, and the Anti Drug Abuse Acts.
Also it should be noted this was during a time where the country as a whole wanted those in office to be "tough on crime" which was largely something the republicans were known for, however during late 80s'/early 90's the democrats were able to prove they to were "tough on crime" and Biden seemed to be the lead dog in that fight. Also it should be mentioned the president in office at the time was one Bill Clinton, who also signed the bill. The man the black community called the first black president before we actually got one. He also was not against this bill.
In the end, was the bill perfect, no. Does Biden deserve some strife for his self proclaimed, "tough on crime" history. Yes, he definitely does, however is a bill he signed over 25 years ago, that was pretty much unanimously supported is a reason not to vote against him in preference of Donald, I don't think so.
The black community was not against this bill, in fact they were largely in favor of it. The gang violence was out of control in plenty of cities. The crack/cocaine epidemic was seemingly out of control as well. See we as black people vilified addictions when we should have treated it more like the opoid "crisis" and sought avenues to get these people help. Instead we wanted them off our streets asap by any means necessary. The church played its part in supporting this bill as well, most of the mega pastors clamored for it, so we as a community deserve some blame for this bill as well.
There were good parts of the bill. The Violence Against Womens Act, there was a provision for background checks on guns. Also it should be noted when it came to prison sentences the bill only affected sentencing on the Federal level only. It did provide funding to states to build more prisons, and hire more police but non federal crime sentencing was still handled at a state level. It did provide funding for states to adopt "Truth in Sentencing" that resulted in longer prison sentencing at the state level but this was only carried out by a few states.There was also funding for treatment for people suffering from drug addiction.
Now for balance Biden was also part of some bad bills that were written like the Comprehensive Control Act, and the Anti Drug Abuse Acts.
Also it should be noted this was during a time where the country as a whole wanted those in office to be "tough on crime" which was largely something the republicans were known for, however during late 80s'/early 90's the democrats were able to prove they to were "tough on crime" and Biden seemed to be the lead dog in that fight. Also it should be mentioned the president in office at the time was one Bill Clinton, who also signed the bill. The man the black community called the first black president before we actually got one. He also was not against this bill.
In the end, was the bill perfect, no. Does Biden deserve some strife for his self proclaimed, "tough on crime" history. Yes, he definitely does, however is a bill he signed over 25 years ago, that was pretty much unanimously supported is a reason not to vote against him in preference of Donald, I don't think so.
. Ive heard similar sentiments from other people his age aswell.
