According to a CNN poll conducted this past weekend, a large majority of Americans believe that mental health services exerted an impact on the recent mass shooting in Tucson.
A significant number of voters have bought into the idea that shrinking government means greater freedom and a better functioning nation. As long as this notion remains nothing more than a talking point or a theoretical construct, it plays well in the American heartland.
However, when it plays out in real life, people begin to see that the theory isn't as practical as it once sounded. As I wrote in a previous post, mental health services are being slashed and cut to the bone across the nation because of our economic crisis. As state, county and city budgets are squeezed further, mental health services will be reduced likewise.
With few services available and long waiting lists, this will add more people -- some potentially violent -- walking around society untreated. While most of them (or should I say "us") are more dangerous to themselves than anyone else, there will be more powder kegs with the potential to explode at any moment. That means the potential for more atrocities to occur today, tomorrow and in the near future.
QUESTION: Overall, how much do you blame each of the following for the shooting in Arizona -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?As you can easily see, only slightly more than 1 in 4 believe that such resources were not a significant factor. I think findings such as this are important to underscore the disconnect too many Americans have between on-the-ground reality and political rhetoric.
The resources available to deal with people who may be mentally ill
Great deal 41% ... Moderate amount 29% ... Not much 13% ... Not at all 15%...
A significant number of voters have bought into the idea that shrinking government means greater freedom and a better functioning nation. As long as this notion remains nothing more than a talking point or a theoretical construct, it plays well in the American heartland.
However, when it plays out in real life, people begin to see that the theory isn't as practical as it once sounded. As I wrote in a previous post, mental health services are being slashed and cut to the bone across the nation because of our economic crisis. As state, county and city budgets are squeezed further, mental health services will be reduced likewise.
With few services available and long waiting lists, this will add more people -- some potentially violent -- walking around society untreated. While most of them (or should I say "us") are more dangerous to themselves than anyone else, there will be more powder kegs with the potential to explode at any moment. That means the potential for more atrocities to occur today, tomorrow and in the near future.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are unmoderated, so you can write whatever you want.