What is behind all this violence we have been witnessing on the news as of late? School shootings, Political unrest, and attacks on political figures and their family along with murders across the nation and the world? Why has it come down to violence and what can we do to bring things back to a more peaceful world are the questions I ask myself and everyone I talk with.

Some violence is fueled by political extremism but the majority I believe is done by individuals with either an unhappy life situation or someone with mental and/or emotional problems. There is also the financial inequity and inequality that plays into the mix as well. Seems many younger people are unhappy, depressed, or feel as if they are being oppressed and they tend to focus all that unhappiness and rage on a person or place that brought them some sort of traumatic experience such as being bullied, feeling left out, or unwanted.

Shooting up a school or university is not going to solve any problems and usually winds up ending the life of many innocent people along with the troubled individual committing the act of violence. I think they know it won’t solve their problem but they get to the point of desperation and just want to lash out and go down in a blaze of some sort of twisted glory or something. It is hard for others to really know what they were thinking and what motivation they may have had.

Seems that we need more focus on the mental and emotional well-being of our youth, if we focus on the problems they have in early life they may be better equipped to deal with problems in the future and that may help us avoid a good portion of the violent crimes committed by teenagers and very young adults. Far as guns are concerned I see no reason for a teenager to possess a military-grade weapon and I also feel that there should be some sort of mandatory training involved in possessing any military-style assault weapon.

We need to work on getting the divide between the extremely rich and the poor and making the minimum wage more of a living wage. Take it from someone who has worked the majority of his life making at or near the minimum wage, there is no way even at full-time hours one can live life at such wages without some other income or help. The question is do we increase the Minimum wage or do we find a way to lower the cost of living, either way, would solve a lot of the disparity out there and probably would help lower crime in general.

Politicians need to work on using less polarizing messaging to reach their base and stop being so partisan when governing. They are there to represent not only the party they are in but those that they serve in their state, regardless if those people are one party or another. Listen to the people, and do what they call for you to do above what the party you are affiliated with desires. Compromise with the opposing party when governing and finding common ground. This is what we the people pay you in congress to do.

Doesn’t matter what political party you are with, what religion you do or do not follow, your color, sex, or even sexual preference, or which sex you identify with, you are part of the people that those in congress are supposed to represent. We all are citizens, we all belong to this great nation we live in and no one is above another in our nation. We are supposed to be the beacon of light for the rest of the world and it’s time for us to get back to acting like it.

Put our differences aside, hold out our hand to our neighbor with no conditions and be the great people I know we all can be.

Peace and Blessings to all