I don't see anything wrong with that comment at all.  It is a good lesson from history.  Really, it is a very efficient way to govern with limited resources.  After all, if you want smaller government, it make perfect sense to deal out harsh penalties for violating the law - once you show you are serious about enforcement, the industry will self-police and end the violations voluntarily.

I think we have seen over and over again that the "slap on the wrist" method doesn't work.  It makes the fines imposed for violating the law a "cost of doing business" and the cost of enforcement goes up.

It isn't like this guy was advocating busting law abiding companies.

If you want to change the law, change the law... but why criticize someone who wants to vigorously enforce it?  That is his job.