Marc Yacht
Police brutality represents the tip of the iceberg sparking volatile communities. The years 2000-2010 witnessed 17 major incidents of U.S. citizen unrest. More civil disobedience has already occurred this decade. Current demonstration levels are approaching the 1960s Vietnam protests.
Police brutality receives credit for the current unrest. Members of law enforcement have tragically been targeted and murdered for wearing a uniform. They are facing escalating violence, and loss of respect. Does police excessive force adequately explain community anger? There is a need to look at deeper issues confronting Americans.
Every society has poor populations. A modern and rich society would wisely protect a decent standard of living for all residents. Disenfranchised poor and homeless populations precipitate serious mental health issues, the spread of disease, and crime. Community stability is threatened as these populations increase.
Elected officials and community leaders must address the undercurrents raging in poor urban and rural areas. Ignoring increasing poverty and undermining needed safety nets will cause increasing disorder. Wealth may be concentrated among the privileged few but they are a significant minority. Should unrest become widespread, there are not enough jails, police or guns to overcome the overwhelming number of irate poor and disillusioned middle class.
The seeds of anarchy and civic instability are rooted in poverty, unemployment, poor education, lack of health care, and hopelessness. These problems are not new but the festering unrest must alert responsible leaders to put the proper issues on the table.
No new taxes, government austerity, and downsizing both by government and the private sector have added fuel to serious community problems. Shrinking dollars to human services, the 35 million health uninsured and the lack of quality employment will push volatile poor communities toward instability. Police brutality serves as a perfect catalyst for disenfranchised populations to explode.
Union breaking, calling government the problem and instituting a prolonged severe austerity has strangled opportunity. The continuing Middle East wars have damaged the American economy. The nation’s expansion and growth require the private sector to partner with government to address jobs and meet essential community needs. Opening up more government employment could lead us back to prosperity as was the case during the 1929 depression.
The evidence continues to mount that we are a nation in decline. A recent Tampa Tribune editorial ranks our nation 16th in the world in providing a high quality of life. The United States ranks behind 54 other nations for infant mortality. Thirty other nations have a higher life expectancy than America. America ranks 49th in high school enrollment and 38th in the quality of our education system. A 2014 UNICEF report states that 32.7 percent of U.S. children live below the poverty line and ranks this nation 36th of 41 wealthy countries.
With little dialogue coming from our elected officials addressing the burgeoning social and economic issues, the increasing unrest and violence in American communities should be no surprise. The conversation must evolve from blaming law enforcement to addressing needed community resources.
Shoring up education and providing health care for every American would be a good start. Still more is needed to calm volatile communities.
Dr. Marc Yacht is a semi-retired physician living in Hudson, Fla. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
