LETTER: American culture needs an overhaul

To the Telegram:

Everything is connected: This is a bumper sticker on my car and a belief I hold true.

The dysfunction starts by desensitizing children. Look at the video games they play.

Children are playing games that involve killing cops, others “for fun,” buying prostitutes and stealing. Look at violent TV shows and movies. It is common to see blood-splattering violence everywhere. Now, 10-year-olds are encouraged to pick up a gun and kill animals for “sport.”

When did killing for food become killing for fun?

There are over three million assault rifles in this country. You can easily purchase any gun you want — try to get a Sudafed when you have a cold. You have to sign for it. Does that make sense?

It is a national obsession. I hear people call guns “sexy.” How can a machine for which the sole purpose is to destroy be sexy? That is our sick culture talking.

As for the 2nd Amendment, it is outdated. If you do not want to revise the amendment, then let’s use the same guns that were in use when it was written.

Our mental health facilities are closing because they do not make big money — plain and simple.

It’s about mental health, a sick culture and greed. Why should that be a surprise to anyone?

I had a professional come up to me, look to me seriously and tell me teachers need to be armed. Really? Should sharp shooting be a job requirement? How about movie attendants? Store clerks? Nurses? Where do we stop?

Our culture needs an overhaul on values. That will take a long time.

Those 20 innocent little children and their teachers should not die in vain. Something has to change and it begins with your thinking process. I, for one, cannot just “move on.”

We need gun control, mental health overhaul, reflection, and change in our society.

Cathy Miller,

Brule

Tags: letters, opinion