Using examples of unpunished or mildly punished criminals who are soon released back into society to continue inflicting their brand of terror on citizens, the author suggests that increasing levels of crime in America lend credence to the idea that what is currently being done to combat criminal behavior is ineffective. The author suggests other approaches to reducing and eliminating crime that may shock those who feel that taxpayers and law-abiding citizens should continue to protect, feed, house, and nurture career criminals. Unless a get-tough approach is used, and soon, our country will be overwhelmed financially and emotionally by crime, especially if an economic recession should occur. It is time for honest, law-abiding citizens who are fed up with lax laws, weak judges, a near-dysfunctional judicial system, and a lack of political leadership to take a different approach to how criminals are treated...before it is too late.