GUEST POST from Don: The Wrong Problem

THE WRONG PROBLEM

I remember a day in college (~ 45 years ago now) when one of the proposals before state voters sought a simplistic solution to end roadside trash.  It passed (I voted against).  Unfortunately, it sought to eliminate ONE SYMPTOM, and did not solve the stated problem.  Result was that all soft drink containers were required to have a return deposit.  For a few years it appeared to have the desired effect.  That is … until bottled water became “hot.”

At its core the proposal failed to properly identify the problem.  People cause trash, sodas don’t.  It did nothing to solve the people problem.  So, when bottled water became a “thing” suddenly there were empty plastic water bottles everywhere you looked.  The people problem was untouched by the bottle deposit law.  

Those interested in reducing trash needed to identify why people cause trash.  Sure, having a reason to not toss the can or bottle may have helped a little, but the cause of the problem never changed.  

If you MISIDENTIFY the problem you will not solve the issue.  At best you merely kick the can to the next generation.  Politics consistently misidentifies the problem.  For example: The shortfall of Social Security.  If a solution had been put in place 20 years ago when the current problem was projected it could have been rational and painless.  But the can was kicked down the road.  Even now the problem is being misidentified by politicians.  They say “we are running out of money.”  That is true, but that is not the cause.  There are several causes.  One cause, millions of people are receiving Social Security payments who may never have put a dime into it.  It seeks to do too many things.  It provides for spouses who never worked even if the principal recipient is not deceased (sometimes multiple spouses).  It provides for children of deceased parents.  None of these things is bad, but the original intent was a much smaller animal.  Social Security was started as a way to provide for those who had paid into the system.  Other politicians blame the rich for not paying their “fair share.”  I do not know a single wealthy person who has not paid Social Security taxes, do you?  In fact, the rich get the least return on their “investment dollar,” because Social Security payments benefit the poor more per dollar “invested.”  A second cause is Congress itself which, over the years, has made it possible, then easier, to get on the dole if “disabled.”  Some truly need it, but my young adult relative didn’t.  He was able bodied and he still got benefits (and maybe still does).  The system breaks down when people who should not deserve the money get it.  Misidentifying the shortfall as a “resource issue” probably will not help to solve the problem.

So we come to the gun debate.  Is the problem really the guns?  Since it has been politicized there is little doubt in my mind that this problem, too, is being misidentified.  Seems obvious to me that in most cases the problem is with people.  Clearly, the number of times a gun discharged without a human cause in this last year is amazingly small.  Don’t misunderstand.  I read a couple stories where the dog caused it or a weapon discharged because of faulty mechanism.  However, no laws are being proposed to prevent dogs having access to these weapons.

I propose that the prime problem is people.  It is complicated and has many moving parts.  a) Criminals often carry guns and use them.  How can we make criminal activity less appealing?  Maybe it would help if we decided to educate kids so they are employable as adults.  b) Mental health issues often lead to violence.  Maybe we could develop better ways of identifying those mental health issues in people which lead to violence.  c) Gun-free zones seem to attract those who have fantasized killing.  Maybe we should re-evaluate our use of “gun-free” zones to only those which have a scanner and armed guards?  d) Reporting.  Many who walk into schools with guns are hoping to make a “name” for themselves.  And, without fail, they DO!  If we changed how school shootings were reported, would this help?

A second problem is we don’t evaluate efficacy.  Some in government seek to make permanent changes, but they don’t know if those laws will be effective.  Why don’t we experiment with short-term laws?  Make short-term laws that automatically sunset on a certain date and CANNOT be extended without voting in a brand-new permanent law ONLY IF it can be shown that the law had the proposed result.  (See below for how the concept of how EVALUATION is used as a decision-making tool).  

If murder is in the heart/mind of a person, lack of gun would not be a hindrance.  In some societies the weapon of choice is a pair of scissors.  I just read a story where a 13 year old was murdered by a man with a rock.  Another story told about people dropping rocks on passing vehicles and killing or wounding the occupants.  Ropes, poisons, knives, spears, sticks, fists, and even cars have been used.  Removing guns will not stop murders because the CAUSE has not been eliminated.  Guns are not the cause.  Its what is inside a person that causes murder.  

Other tools also kill…rocks, lead pipes, ropes, poisons…etc.  Where is the legislation which will reduce the murders where these tools are being used?  We are zoning in on only ONE tool without dealing with the causes…which, I would venture, ensures that high murder rates will continue to occur.  Even making all guns illegal will not solve the murder problem because nothing has been done to deal with the REAL issues: Human hate, insanity, and crime.

Funny thing, there were almost no school shootings prior to 1960…and we did not have as many gun laws.  In fact, in my boyhood home neither the guns, nor the ammo were locked up.  Guns have not changed any of their behaviors since then. Who has?  

If you misidentify the problem you will not solve the issue.  Name ONE law that would stop a murderer.  I cannot think of a single one.  You know what HAS stopped murderers?  Another human with a gun.  That works.  Most mass murderers have chosen their targets because they were convinced no one there would have a gun.  Their goal was to be free to shoot ducks in a pond.  That alone tells you something about the human who has decided to murder another…they want a sure thing.  Hmmm, would it surprise you to learn that politics is attacking this problem from the wrong end of the barrel??

Rule number one for life (if you are not a politician):  IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
Rule 2: DESIGN A PLAN.
Rule 3: FOLLOW THE PLAN.
Rule 4: EVALUATE THE RESULTS.
Rule 5: REPEAT

Politics does not ever seem to follow these steps. Sadly, neither their prayers for the victims, NOR lack thereof, are working.  We have to be the conscience and governors of government.  We who are non-political have to use brain cells to design a plan, follow the plan, evaluate the results…and repeat.

Copyright 2023 Donald Whelpley

[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms, as I do, and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him elsewhere. ~ Sherry]

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