Jersey Mike

It’s gonna be a long, hot summer.

Deja vu?

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before.

With Monday night’s dual-shootings, we’re on pace to break another record in Harrisburg. The record for the most gun-related murders in a calendar year.

Currently, we’re at nine killings for the year (including the stabbing above Roxy’s last week). Last year, we had only eight all year…and 2007 saw a dozen.

If we keep this up, we’ll surpass that with ease.

But what’s more is that – not only is this an election year, but there’s been more talk than ever about reducing violence and increasing the peace. Can government save the day?

Maybe. But it’s going to take more of a cultural shift and more concern for our brothers and sisters than more police on the streets and funding dedicated to crime prevention.

Call me cynical- but I don’t believe this is a problem that Steve Reed or Linda Thompson are going to be able to correct.

Another concept to consider would be “thinning of the herd”.

Who is being killed? Are these the dredges of society? Are they the role models and leaders that we want for our children? Or are they just a small percentage of the worst-of-the-worst wrongdoers who are ultimately costing taxpayers in life and, because of ongoing investigations and follow up work, in death?

George Carlin did a bit about turning different states into different prisons. Perhaps it’s time that we considered that. Let the gang bangers and gangsta’s have New Mexico. Partiers? Colorado. Socially conscious hippies? Off you go to Oregon.

Prison isn’t working. Parole isn’t working. Section 8 seems to encourage irresponsibility.

So what do we do?

Maybe it’s time to consider walking away from the whole mess and giving the asylum to the inmates.

Honest, hardworking Harrisburgians are sacrificing the property values and green landscapes and are being over run by the worst-of-the-worst. We work our 40 hours. Pay our taxes. Go to church. Stay married. Go to college. Contribute to the world around us.

All while a small percentage of bad apples pisses on the value system and promise of the American Dream.

Keep payin’ those taxes, folks. Keep following those rules.

It’s clear- more clear with each trigger pulled- that there are now two distinct civilizations living in this country.

There’s us…and there’s them.

What side are you on?