Our latest school massacre in Connecticut is only the most recent example of the complete moral and spiritual collapse of the United States. We are no longer a Christian nation; we are a nation of abject pagans who worship pure, unadulterated power. Might makes right is the official policy of our government.
Under President George W. Bush, we bombed Iraq "back into the Stone Age" for no demonstrable reason. Under President Barack Obama, we use drones and hit squads to assassinate our perceived enemies as well as numerous innocent civilians without formal charges or trials.
Is it any wonder that some unstable kid thinks he has the right to be judge, jury and executioner? This is the behavior he sees demonstrated by our highest political authorities. We are reaping the results of the moral and political course we have pursued for the past 30 years and, unfortunately, the young and innocent are the first to suffer.
We can debate gun control until the end of time but, unless we have a change of heart, nothing will change. And this change of heart must be demonstrated by every adult male role model, not just our political leaders.
This means that every gun owner must take his guns to the local police station and vow to never do violence to another human being.
This is the only thing that will work. Anything less is only lip service and will change nothing.
JOSEPH H. VANDERPOOL
Rensselaer