And the public really doesn't help. We as individuals can support cutting somebody else's pet program, just don't cut the ones we want. So a liberal's solution to crime is to cut law enforcement and the spend the money to end poverty. Meanwhile, the conservative's solution to crime is to cut social program "handouts" and increase the number of police officers patroling the streets. Its not really about the money, but more about what solution people think works best.

Well, I support reduced welfare spending, but not by direct cuts as such, but economic policies that stimulate investment, growth and job creation, so welfare rolls naturally fall and the tax base increases to afford in part increased spending on police if they're underresourced. Of course, the way police and welfare is funded in the US is quite different to my own country, but I would say generally a lot of moderate liberals and conservatives alike would have no problem with reducing welfare roles/increasing police funding this way. Bush seems to be going for broke - literally.