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If the decision is primarily an affirmation of the status quo (two congressional committees and a small army of Justice Department lawyers will continue probes), the main effect of Reno's decision was to ratchet up the political heat on herself.
CNN: Decision
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This created a ratchet effect: lawmakers who wish to sound tough must propose laws tougher than the ones that the last chap who wanted to sound tough proposed.
ECONOMIST: Crime and punishment in America