Pages

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

It’s About the People – Who we are. Who we aren’t.

By Sam Frescoe, Veteran’s Recall
samfrescoe@gmail.com
http://veterans-recall.blogspot.com/
 



Is anyone tired of seeing the mass murder of Americans?
Is anyone tired of being told that checking a list of lists in a more robust fashion is the answer?
Is anyone tired of the narrative that suggests motive is more important than the results?
I’m willing to bet the answer to all three questions is an overwhelming “YES”. Without a doubt, I count myself among this crowd. Yet, there is a question that remains.
What can be done about it? This is the question I get challenged with often. In my opinion, the solution requires a more grand approach than what can be wrapped up in a 15-second sound bite.
Reduce the Behavior
First things are first. Recognize that the primary factor is not a gun problem; it’s a choice and values problem. Firearms are machines that respond to user input; therefore, they cannot be held accountable for wrong-doing. In other words, initiatives to reduce access to firearms are not capable of significant reductions in firearm related violence. However, if potential users of firearms are conditioned to seek other forms of redress, leaving lethal force for protection only, then a significant reduction in firearm related violence becomes possible regardless of the presence of firearms. In short, if the impulse to execute an immoral lethal act is sufficiently low, then other forms of redress become available, are preferred, and are accepted.
Second, we must increase the opportunity for citizens to defend themselves. Everyone has an inherent right to their life. Therefore, the right to self-defense should be enhanced whenever possible. Why, because there are hostile actors that believe differently. I am not advocating for the resurgence of the wild-west or vigilante justice. I am advocating for the use of that force necessary to defend your life, your castle, and by-standers from the actions of an aggressor. Obviously, the defender and the aggressor, has a responsibility to justify the force used.
Third, we must reduce the collective anger towards the government by effectively reducing criminal presence. This begins by understanding how criminals are created.
How are criminals created? First, the government creates a law against a particular behavior. Then, a person commits a crime by demonstrating that behavior. In turn, the government applies force to redress the offense. To date, crime reduction has been focused on separating the criminal from the opportunity to commit a crime. Hence, the multi-billion dollar prison industry.
Based on the above, I am advocating for three different approaches.
First, reduce crime by reducing the definition of bad behavior. In my opinion, it’s past time to reduce criminal statues for minor offenses resulting from victimless crimes (such as simple possession). Fools onto themselves are not criminals. They are idiots, but they are not criminals. Idiots don’t belong in prison.
Second, reduce the criminal presence of the illegal population by increasing their risk of financial failure. If they cannot get or sustain employment, obtain welfare benefits, or enjoy civil rights afforded to American citizens, then they will choose to leave. For those that choose otherwise, law enforcement should be resourced to do their job.
Third, reduce the criminal presence by eliminating capital criminals. Yes, I am talking about capital punishment. What is the difference between an incarcerated criminal serving a life sentence after an unsuccessful appeal, and an individual that elected to forfeit their humanity by committing a capital crime (e.g. murder, rape, etc.)? How does one have more value than the other? If there is no difference, then society should not be forced to pay the bill for keeping them around?
Develop America’s Robustness
Reduce the capacity for domestic political actors with hostile intent to inflict harm on American institutions. In others words, increase the robustness of America’s institutions against the hostile intent of un-American influences. For example, reduce the presence of counter-American (community-centric) political ideologies while increasing pro-American (individual-centric) political ideologies.
Before you fly off the handle, let’s ask a question. How might America realize this level of robustness without violating the civil rights of its citizens? The answer is found in defining what it means to be an American, what is does NOT mean to be an American, and that the distinctions do not overlap.
Develop Each American’s Robustness
Increase the desire for personal responsibility and social ostracizing of wrong-doers.
Teach the next generation the way that they should go. Purposely empower and hold accountable local communities and districts for bringing up morally straight citizens. Encourage parental partnerships for the instruction of the American Honor Code, American morals, American values, and personal responsibility.
Purposely empower and hold accountable local communities and districts for bringing up strong, respectful, and hard-working Americans. Encourage parental partnerships for the instruction of American history, trade skills, American government, and the Constitution in addition to math, science, technology, the arts, and English.
Recognize that some Americans need trade-skills in their hands more than college-knowledge in their minds. The idea that everyone is cut out for college (or worse yet, entitled to college) is false. While everyone must have a means to gain employment for their own well-being, not everyone should have a college degree. By making trade-skills common, and college exclusive, society can maximize work place involvement, minimize welfare dependence, and increase the overall value of knowledge.
Herald our heroes at all levels: sung and unsung. People need role models. Americans are no different.
Denounce evil and call-out wrong-doing whenever and however possible: the act and the acceptance (passive or active). Reward those that stand opposed.
Decrease the profession of welfare by increasing the profession of generosity. The welfare of our fellow man is a personal responsibility not a federal government responsibility. The first duty of an American is to render aid to fellow Americans in need. Whereas, the first duty of America is to protect Americans from evil actors, foreign and domestic. If the government does their duty, then Americans can to do theirs as well.
The Key to the Future
To realize the above, all of America’s instructive institutions must buy-in and be onboard: churches, schools, higher academia, laws, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. This is a large undertaking, and the task falls to the People alone. Only we have sufficient incentive to abolish what does not work.
Going Forward
America is a sovereign nation with a moral responsibility to protect its citizens without moral ambiguity from all enemies, foreign and domestic, hostile and passive. It’s time for the People to choose unity and get started.
Your View
I invite you to tell me what you believe at samfrescoe@gmail.com. I am looking forward to reviewing your comments and furthering our American discourse. Thank you. – Sam Frescoe

No comments:

Post a Comment