We have witnessed some of the most horrific gun violence here in Connecticut. Outrage, peaceful protest and a collective demand for change is required. We must do all that we can to prevent gun violence.

Town governments, school systems and all other community organizations should publicly affirm their support for public safety and publicly disclose all policies and procedures in place to ensure public safety.

Are there security systems (monitoring) in place?  Security personnel?  Armed security?  Are all external access points secured and monitored?  Are internal doorway secured/locked?  Are metal detectors required?  Is there special training for student and parents required?  Administrative personnel train for emergencies?

We are responsible for evaluating suitability and monitoring for compliance.

Individuals have the right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms and for exercising their rights of self-defense without prosecution. Furthermore, private property owners have the right to establish their own conditions regarding the presence of personal defense weapons on their own property. BUT gun-owners must act responsibly.

Those who commit (or enable) violent crime involving guns should be subject to the full force of the judicial system. There should be no tolerance for gun violence and those who allow it to occur. Punishment should be to the fullest extent of the law. We should demand it!

This is how good citizens respond. We can do this!

ADDENDUM:  Sample Letter to your local officials – Letter to FirstSelectman -Gun Owners Rights 03092017

It is incumbent upon all citizens to protect the weak and most vulnerable among us…period!

Town governments, school systems and all other community organizations should publicly affirm their support of equal protection under the law and publicly confirm that policies and procedures are in place to ensure a safe and compassionate environment for Transgender students.

Do Transgender students have appropriate access to bathroom facilities of their choice?  How are they accommodated – separate or shared facilities?  Are there scheduled access periods?  Is there adequate adult supervision?  Has there been “sensitivity training” provided?  Gender neutral facilities available?

We are responsible for ensure suitability and monitoring for compliance.

For those who do not enforce the legal rights of individuals should be subject to the full force of the judicial system to ensure compliance with the law. (State of Connecticut Constitution – SEC. 20. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his civil or political rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex or physical or mental disability.) AND the peaceful protest of their neighbors!

This is how good citizens respond. We can do this!

ADDENDUM:  Sample Letter to your local officials –Letter to FirstSelectman -Transgender 03092017

 

I agree with Martin Morse Wooster, looking back on “It Usually Begins With Ayn Rand” in The American Enterprise, a public policy magazine, in 1998, wrote: “There are two reasons why Tuccille’s account remains fresh and valuable. First, he is an excellent stylist, who has superb control of the techniques of the New Journalism period. Second, Tuccille knows that political debates are often comic, and he has a great deal of fun lampooning the nuts and flakes who enjoy screaming at political meetings.”

But I respectfully disagree with Mr. Tuccille’s  article for the conservative magazine National Review, in which he wrote the epitaph for libertarianism as a political movement. Although still committed to its ideals, he called it “hopelessly utopian” and “an intellectual exercise, not a serious political alternative.”  We can still do this!

 

…put money back into the hands of state residents (individuals and businesses) in 2018.  Respect the individuals right to allocate resources appropriately.  Empower people to participate in the solution.  How?  Maybe set some basic guidelines for “good citizenship” with policies to encourage behavior (remove obstacles) that supports economic health for the state.  How?