We must work together against violence

What is going on in America over the last few decades? What have we turned into?

We have become a society that is saturated in violence, and Americans are killing other Americans, day after day. This is not a pessimistic viewpoint, these are straight facts. Murders continue to rise every year with no end in sight, and quite frankly, it is becoming very distressing, scary and discouraging. Not the example that needs to be sent to our younger generations.

I know some folks have a multitude of theories of why murders and violence in general are on the rise. Violent movies? Violent video games? Wars happening all over the globe? Violent extremists committing senseless acts of violence seemingly everyday? I think these points all have a certain level of validity to them, but people in general know, and have for a very long time, that killing another human being is wrong.

With all that said, where do we go now as a country? That is the million-dollar question. I don’t think anyone has an answer for that, because the answer isn’t out there. Nothing is working, and the instances of mass violence or single murders just continue to rise and rise in numbers.

When I think of the name of our country, it sure doesn’t seem to ring true. We are not the United States of America, we are the divided states of America. That is not a pessimistic view of things, it is a realistic viewpoint. We have to admit that to each other before any positive differences are made. But I don’t see people admitting that, and I just don’t understand that because it is clear as day.

The question is, how many of these violent acts and senseless murders are we going to tolerate before things change for the better? How many lives are we going to lose? How many, America? What is going on in this nation is deplorable, and is embarrassing and sad at the same time. We are better than this, but we can’t be better than this or defeat this epidemic without having dialogue.

Far too many individuals have become accustomed to this way, and that needs to change. If we all unite in some way, shape or form then I finally see changes occurring. I’m still waiting on that like many others. But I have serious hope deep down. I have to. Without hope for that, without optimism and without positivity for this, all is lost.

Jeff Swanson is a resident of Everett.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.