In the time since my return (17 years), violence has only gotten worse and more gruesome. Criminals who seek to outsmart DNA labs will ‘cleanse’ a living victim with bleach, set them on fire or mutilate the body. I’ve wondered if it was always like this and, if not, when did America become so violent.

Some say ‘always’ and point out the conflict between the European settlers and Indians, locals and newly arrived immigrants, etc. But really this is very different. I’m not saying these things were peaceful by any means but during those times people didn’t fear the common criminality we see today. It’s a lie to say Washington feared his children might be accidently gunned down by two rival gangs or that his daughter might get raped in college or disappear while out jogging.

I used to believe the problem was entirely gun-related, but I’m inclined to believe guns are only a wider expression of the problem. The hijacked planes that hit the twin towers were taken with men wielding box cutters. Guns merely amplify the casualties and heaven knows America’s interpretation of the constitution will never allow for the removal of guns. I would vote we tax bullets to death but the manufacturers would argue otherwise.

So why is this country so violent and when did the violence begin?

I will put money on our violence as a direct impact of the 1960′s. I believe that because some used violence to acquire their ends successfully that others took this model as an alternative means to their ends. In addition I believe the same forces shaped the justice system. Lawyers who argued for ‘civil rights’ created a model that expressed all defenses were valid. Couple this with the absurd rates of law school graduates and you have an opportunity for thousands of people to exploit law for money. It doesn’t matter to a lawyer what arguement they defend as long as they’re defending one and thus gainfully employed.

Part of that equation is attacking those who can pay, and thus you have criminals with ongoing lawsuits against cities.

Add to this those who sympathize with criminals because they believe America is inherently ‘unfair’ and that everyone deserves the same material goods regardless of whom they may hurt to get them.

Add to this children/teens who buy into this mentality and have no regard for life so much as what they can get through violent means.

Add to this a population growth which provides a handful of opportunities to divide into smaller and smaller sums.

Add to this a handful of corporate managers who believe that they deserve the lion’s share of the company’s profits at the expense of everyone underneath them.

Add to this the increasing cost of goods.

Add to this the outpouring of jobs away from the country in the new ‘service’ economy.

Add to this the greater longevity of the population, adding more competition for the job market.

Add to this the increasing belief that science can fully replace any good once bestowed by religion.

and you have America.

It’s not so scary to me anymore as it is trying to raise children. If our children have no guarantees of safety what good is all the progress, technology, jobs or anything that’s supposed to be good about the country?

We don’t trust each other.

AMERICA does not belong to the AMERICAN PEOPLE anymore, it belongs to the NEOCONS and the ZIONISTS, YOU do not own AMERICA, you the PEOPLE. YOU didn’t keep your eye on the ball, whilst you were eating, drinking,taking drugs,making babies,having a good life YOUR COUNTRY was being ,and is still being stolen away from YOU THE PEOPLE.
IF some stupid old drunken fool shoots some one , THAT does not mean you should scrap THE constitutian and GIVE you COUNTRY AWAY allong with you rights.

No institution is safe from this proliferation of weapons (um I mean guns) in this country. A gun is a legalized weapon. As long as NRA people and gun toting conservatives make the rules, more kids will die. Sad story.

As for the willingness to wield a lawyer instead… well, that’s arguably another thing that’s very wrong in America today!

There are some things Europe does well, and there are some things America does well. We can all agree that Europe is not an Eutopia.

I’d rather have a choice in the ability to own a gun then have the government prohibit me.