Violence, Poverty, and a Week of Tragedy

"If America’s leaders would invest in proven pathways out of poverty, we could radically diminish violence in America.   If America spent as much money offering opportunities to every 16 to 26 year old as we spend locking them up for minor offenses that further cut them off from a positive future, we could end poverty in a generation or two.  When young people find a true pathway to opportunity and a caring community, they become excellent parents determined to give their children the world of opportunities they lacked in their own childhood." -Dorothy Stoneman, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/poverty-gun-violence_b_3528888 We at Poverty in America do not condone violence in any form as a method of solving problems...period. The shootings which have transpired this past week have yet again brought to the forefront the issues which continue to plague our nation. As our leaders continue to give "lip service" to violence...we want to see real change. As of yet, this change has not come...mainly because it is not profitable for those in charge. As the Democratic debates rage on, and the candidates continue to harp on a number of issues which have changed little in the course of the last 20 years...gun control measures continue to be at the forefront. Gun licensing, gun registration, bans or control of "high capacity magazines" and "assault weapons"...the same things which have been touted time and time again...but have never happened. In the areas in which they have happened, little change has been seen...need we mention Chicago again? There has never been a more important time in this country for us to take a stand on the true root cause of violence (gun related or otherwise): mental health and poverty. Those who feel they are abused by the "system", those who feel they are victimized with no way out, those who subscribe to the mindset that the world owes them something they aren't getting. These are the people who cause havoc. These are the people who will stop at nothing to get at what they believe is the "root cause"....whether it's a school, immigrants, LBGT, etc. You will never legislate out hate. You will never legislate out violence. This is especially true when the political establishment does nothing but "fan the flames". When it's "cool" to be hateful, as both parties are promoting right now...it is no wonder there is so much hate in the world. There are no simple answers...but I can promise you the answer definitely does not reside in the political world. -SGAF