Yes, in Texas there has been another mass shooting. Nothing new here.
In fact, most people now assume that there will be at least one each week. Nothing new there.
The politicians and pundits have spent hours examining the tragedy, offering abundant “thoughts and prayers.” Nothing new.
Not much changes. Our politicians have been unable or unwilling to tackle the problem of gun violence in any meaningful way, so it’s up to the citizens to take up the challenge.
We do this by not voting for anyone who refuses to put the people before the gun lobby. Through our vote, we have to ensure that only those candidates who publicly support human lives over gun proliferation are elected to office.
To this end I offer the following proposal. Instead of endless hours of media coverage that highlights the psychology of the perpetrators and their modus operandi, that focuses on “thoughts and prayers” that never seem to change our country’s wild and deadly trajectory, that offers microphones to dysfunctional “leaders” who numb us with their “nothing can be done” mantras, let us demand that all media show the photographs of all members of the Senate and House of Representatives (including state representatives) along with the dollar amounts they have received from the NRA and the gun lobby.
Let the data speak the truth. This will inform the voting decisions of the electorate.
The only hope for change lies with the voter. We have the power to change the direction of the tragic road we have created.
Voting only for those individuals who will commit to a change in direction will certainly help take us to a safer place.
Knowing which candidates are supported by the gun lobby will go a long way to help the electorate know whom they are electing.
The people have the power. We need to use it!
Kathleen Sleezer
Sparta