I appreciate your editorial of Dec. 18, “Obama’s first task.” Establishing a commission to inform “data-driven policy” and working to harness “the national will to persuade Congress to act” are important actions for the president to take. Yes, the renewal of the assault weapons ban is imperative, but only a first step and not the over-arching answer. A comprehensive approach is absolutely necessary to fully understand the many roots of violence in our culture that result in catastrophic events like that in Newtown as well as day-in, day-out gun violence perpetrated on our streets.
However, there is a glaring omission in the piece, one that must be dealt with in order for any examination of the violence that plagues our society to be truly comprehensive. That is the whole realm of America’s defense policies.
Our leaders’ infatuation with the military-industrial complex is both wasteful and counterproductive. The bloated U.S. defense budget is outdated, loaded with waste and robbing us of resources to deal with urgent needs such as quality education, an improved mental health system and others that often contribute to problems of violence at all levels. Further, the Obama administration’s use of drone attacks contributes to the acceptance of violence as a tool as long as it’s hidden from our consciousness. Where is our outrage when innocent civilians, including children, become collateral damage of such policies?
Violence has become all too pervasive in our way of life. Absolutely everything must be considered if we are to turn that around.
Elizabeth Slosar • Glen Carbon
