Believe In America.com

pccraig · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

Don't Be Fooled

It's happened again, another heinous crime, and the inevitable, justifiable outrage that follows.

"Something has to happen !"

It seems we've been forced too often recently to try and come to grips with these incidents.

"What do we do about it ?"
"What can we do about it ?"
"Who can we turn to for help ?"

Sadly, in times like this, efforts to take advantage of our vulnerability will shortly begin. And once again, like clockwork, it will come from those we should trust, our elected officials, and those who hope to be elected.

Its human nature to want to see "sweeping changes to make our society safer" or "measures to ensure our children won't fall victim to violent crime." I'm a father of two. One of which is a college student in Illinois today. All parents fear for our children's safety every day.

But don't be fooled. Beware of the blatant manipulation of that fear and the attempts to lead us like sheep with promises that "this will never happen on my watch" every time something terrible like this happens. Watch, you'll see them in the next few days, the cameras will be rolling, the microphones will be on, and the empty, unenforceable, unreachable promises will begin spewing out of their mouths. Current politicians and hopeful candidates will begin telling us what we instinctively want to hear while we grieve for those victims and pray for their families.

It's difficult to be objective in times like these. We want answers, we want solutions, no one will argue we are entitled to be secure on the streets, in our homes, where we work, and in our schools. But to look towards politicians to give us the answers we demand or to protect us against these types of crimes is ridiculous folly.

Why do we continue to allow ourselves to be duped by these charlatans ? Have they ever been able to take guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill ? Have they ever been able to "legislate" drugs off the streets ? Of course not. Why ? Because the solutions to these problems are beyond their reach. Yet, they will tell us again and again that they can fix it.

It's despicable behavior really, preying on our emotions for political gain, telling us while we cry for these kids that "this needs to stop !" and somehow convincing us that they can actually do something about it. Don't allow them to dishonor the memory of these victims. Don't allow them to use an ambulance as a political soap box. These crimes are symptoms of social issues. Not the result of some lack of legislation or the poor performance of incumbent politicians. But its election time, so it will begin.

Democracy is tough, and being part of the democratic process is an important responsibility that comes with the expectation that you'll cast your valuable votes after careful consideration of what YOUR definition of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is. Don't be fooled into an emotional response to some veiled guarantee of your safety. Be objective, remove the emotion, listen closely to what their saying and ask yourself, how will he / she really accomplish that ? Will it work ? And most importantly, what will it cost ?