"Each of us is responsible for the decisions we make in life. The old juvenile justice code used to say if you commit a crime it is not your fault, it is our fault. The new code recognizes that discipline and love go hand in hand. Our new juvenile justice code says there will be bad consequences for bad behavior in the state of Texas. We want you to understand you are responsible for the decisions you make in life. It’s called tough love."
Geoege W. Bush - Source: (Cross-ref from Families & Children) Right Choices for Youth Jun 14, 1999.
"I want those young people who commit crimes to be held accountable for their actions."
George W. Bush - Source: www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/faq_index.html - 12/31/98 Dec 31, 1998.
"I’m going to uphold the law of the land and let the political consequences be what they may. If it costs me politically, it costs me politically,"
George W. Bush - Source: Ian Christopher McCaleb, CNN.com Jun 22, 2000.
"I think the thing that discouraged me about the vice president was uttering those famous words, “no controlling legal authority.” I felt like that there needed to be a better sense of responsibility of what was going on in the White House. It’s time for a fresh start after a season of cynicism. And so, I don’t know the man well, but I’ve been disappointed about how and his administration has conducted the fund-raising affairs. You know, going to a Buddhist temple and then claiming it wasn’t a fund-raiser is just not my view of responsibility. We need to say that each of us need to be responsible for what we do. And people in the highest office of the land must be responsible for decisions they make in life. That’s the way I’ve conducted myself as governor of Texas. And that’s the way I’ll conduct myself as president of the United States."
George W. Bush - Source: Presidential debate, Boston MA Oct 3, 2000.
"To lead this nation to a responsibility era, a president himself must be responsible. And so, when I put my hand on the Bible, I will swear to not only uphold the laws of our land, I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God. For me, gaining this office is not the ambition of a lifetime, but it IS the opportunity of a lifetime. And I will make the most of it."
George W. Bush - Source: Speech to Republican National Convention Aug 3, 2000.