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Is our government out of control?

When I woke up last Wednesday to the headlines blaring about the shooting that occurred at the Republicans baseball practice, I was shocked at first, which then turned to sadness for all involved. Soon my sadness turned to wonderment as I thought what kind of person could do such a heinous thing; my thoughts travelled to was this terrorism and I wondered what those people being shot at were thinking as the bullets were flying by. As of early this morning Rep. Steve Scalise’s condition has been upgraded to serious from critical and the rest of the victims will or are recovering from their physical inflictions, but one has to wonder what kind of scarring will this hold for all involved mentally.

I’m pretty certain the shooter had suffered from some form of mental illness whether it was diagnosed or not. He obviously had abused his wife and child and I hope they are seeking counseling to reassure them that none of this is their fault.

One has to wonder what pushed this man over the edge to do what he did. Could it have something to do with the fact that since Trump was elected the middle class and the poor have been the target to carry the burden of the drastic changes that we must endure? The slashes to all the programs which has been to better our existence and lend a hand to those in need in times of trouble: let me tell you trouble is looming large just over our horizon.

Are you aware that 42.5 million Americans (that’s 18.2 percent of all adults diagnosed) suffers from some form of mental concerns? That equates to one in five people in the United States alone who are afflicted with a wide range of mental health conditions that affect your mood, your way of thinking and your behavior; these signs and symptoms may not always be exhibited outwardly, they rear their ugly head from time to time.

I’m not saying that the Republicans are at fault for the shooting, but their hands and actions are definitely not clean by any means in this. By calling for “unity” in this matter is late, but better than never. I harken back to the day Gabby Giffords was shot and left for dead, but no great strides were gained by Congress through their actions of obstructing Gabby’s pleas of sensible gun reform because I guess fear for the obstruction of the umbilical cord of funds from the NRA and Second Amendment rights supporters. Yes, I said it and I’m not sorry for doing so. I believe in the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms; it’s just the kind of arms you insist on bearing and your refusal for sensible gun control. This is not meant for everyone supporting the Second Amendment, it is meant for those so-called “ammosexuals” the ones who insist that they have the right to own assault weapons, the ones meant strictly for the military and police. I know I will get considerable backlash for the above statement, so be it. #MomsDemandSensibleGunReform

Getting back to meat and potatoes of this, exactly how much do you think one person can handle before he is pushed over the ledge? Drastic cuts to the EPA, every cabinet person appointed to head their specific departments are there to do decimate said department and its policies, allowing the mentally ill to purchase weapons, cuts to Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, education and the likes, but spend liberally on military accoutrements I could go on and on. When is enough, enough?

Tax cuts and deregulation abound for all the wealthy and big corporations. It is extremely obvious that this administration and Congress led by the Republicans are totally out of control and the “man in charge” hasn’t a clue as to what is going on.

Are you fed up yet? Frankly, I’m surprised that what transpired at that baseball field in Virginia hasn’t happened before now. This isn’t what America is supposed to be. We were great and can be great again, just not at the hands of the Republicans.

Cath Kestler is a Silver Creek resident.

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