It is absolute hogwash to blame the recent spike in murders and crime on the
current "socio-economic" conditions.
Even in the worst of economic times, the overwhelming majority of people, do
NOT resort to killing someone else because they have no other way to obtain
an income.
This issue is a double-edged sword. Society does in-fact (in my view) have
an obligation to provide a "safety net" that is low enough to allow those
that are honestly willing to become productive members of society, to do so.
However, society also has the obligation to set (and enforce) a set of
standards that unequivocally codemns this type of deviant behaviour.
As long as we're making generalizations, I would be willing to bet that the
4 individuals involved were NOT gainfully employed, had not been looking for
a job in the recent past, and had not intention of using the $50 they stole
to help support their families. I'd go even further. I'd say the majority
of murders that have occurred this year would fall under the same statement.
There are programs available in our society for individuals that really want
to better themselves, get-off the streets and become productive members of
society. I know they exist because I have lived here long enough to see
individuals that were serious about truning their lives around, do so.
When I was young and did not have money to go have some "fun", I either
stayed home, or found some sort of entertainment that didn't cost anything.
Do not parents still have the obligation to instill these same values into
the youth of today? Or should society just accept the responsibility that
if they don't provide jobs for everyone (even if the individual doesn't try)
that it is their fault?
If you want to blame the spate in murders on socio-economic conditions, show
me proof that ANY of the perps involved in the shootings of the 5 children
had made even a meager attempt in the last year to find work. I'll go one
better.. Show me proof that any of them had EVER made a meager attempt at
finding work.
I remember a long time ago, when my ex-wife was going to college full-time,
I had the sole responsibility to support us. I was working at a job as a
sales manager at a car dealership. I did so, because it afforded us the
best opportunity financially at the time, which was what we needed until she
finished school. I had a gentlemen from the northside come-in to purchase a
vehicle from me. We got to talking about the northside and he indicated
that he always carried a concealed handgun (illegal) when he left his home.
He then proceeded to pull a stainless steel 45 calibre auto out of his
waistband to show me. Needless to say, he had the upper-hand in the
negotiations to purchase the car from that point-on. (joke)
The mentallity that it is not only okay, but necessary to carry a gun to
protect yourself on a day-to-day basis needs to change before this segment
of society is ever going to heal itself and become productive as a whole.
And the leaders (and elders) need to take a hard, unequivicol stand against
guns and violenece. Everytime they "qualify" their statements on violence
and gunplay, by stating it is tied to "socio-economic" conditions, they do a
disservice to the very people they are "trying" to help.
dennis plante
lind-bohanon
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