We should not be surprised by the recent act of domestic terror perpetrated on our streets in the city of Tucson, Arizona. Deeply saddened yes but not surprised. Outraged I hope but not yet ready to reflect on how such a tragedy could happen in the noble context of the great American democratic experiment. Acts of domestic terror such as this are the very acts that bring down all democracies.
We sow what we reap goes the wisdom of the ages. Another one is you are what you eat. We hear about toxic politics and blame politicians; yet in a republic driven by democratic processes, our politicians are us and we are they. We have ourselves to blame for the violence in our land, and we must hold ourselves accountable for the senseless act of terror on the streets in Tucson this past week.
I don’t know what our citizens spend each year on violence – virtual reality shoot’em up cut’em up games, paintball and laser tag recreation parks for example. I suppose the number runs in the millions. I don’t know how may hours we Americans sit in front of TV programming filled with sitcoms and reality TV turning outrageous behavior into comedy acts. There seems to be no alternative programming to help our people experience wholesome living. Instead life is turned into a joke and made cheep in the end. This is what sells TV executives say. If this is true, we are the ones who are paying for it, not only out of our pockets but also with our souls as well.
As a nation, taxpayers pay more on the dollar to support a police force than most other nations in the world. I suppose if someone did the numbers we would learn that we pay almost fifty cents on the dollar to support the work of violence (law enforcement, incarcerations, and military forces), leaving very little to spend on more wholesome life building and life sustaining capabilities.
Last week’s shooting in Tucson has forced many to take a look at themselves in the mirror wondering what is wrong. It is to these that I find hope, because to these I can find the entry point to say that it is we who are to blame. We are a democratic people after all. Our silence continues to perpetuate the myth that violence is cool, exciting, and OK.
