You need to do what many Western European nations have been doing for years now: build a huge commission of experts (as broad as possible with as many voices as possible, but all not too political, the more scientists – criminologists, sociologists, … – the better) and let them decide on it. That defers responsibility, but also prevents easy attacks. It shields politicians.

Some find this disgusting and antithetical to democracy, but I’m actually quite ok with it. The politicians only set the broad guidelines and figure out how to pay for it.

Of course there are controversies and of course it is occasionally very possible to score political points with “hang them higher” rhetorics, but not all that often.

All’s not perfect, too, obviously, but at least it’s a bit better.