EMPLOYMENT, INFLATION, AND ENERGY ARE SUGGESTED AS THE MAIN CONCERNS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, ACCORDING TO PUBLIC OPINION POLLS. THEY DID NOT INCLUDE SOARING CRIME RATES IN THEIR LIST OF PRIORITIES. PERHAPS PEOPLE ARE NOT AS CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME AS MANY OBSERVERS THINK. THERE HAS BEEN NO DEBATE IN CONGRESS OVER WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO COMBAT CRIME. OVER HALF OF ALL BRUTAL CRIMES ARE COMMITTED BY PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 25; IT IS NOTED THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THIS GROUP IS ALSO HIGH. THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME HAVE BEEN LABELED AS THE NEED FOR DECENT HOUSING, CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT. SENATOR KENNEDY SAYS THAT THESE MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN BECAUSE THEY ARE THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY, NOT BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO REDUCE CRIME. IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO RECODIFY THE CRIMINAL CODE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SENTENCING PROVISIONS. THERE IS TOO MUCH DISPARITY IN SENTENCING, AND THERE ARE NO GUIDELINES FOR APPELLATE REVIEW. A NEW BILL BEING DISCUSSED WOULD OVERHAUL THE FEDERAL SENTENCING STRUCTURE. ONE PROVISION OF THIS STATES THAT IF THE SENTENCE EXCEEDS THE GUIDELINES, THE OFFENDER MAY APPEAL; AND IF THE SENTENCE IS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH, THE STATE MAY APPEAL. CITIZENS ARE GUARANTEED THE RIGHT TO BE SECURE, AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST BE MODIFIED TO PROVIDE THIS RIGHT TO THE PEOPLE. (BAC)