Rep. Miller’s Divisive, Dangerous Political Call to Deploy National Guard in Cleveland

Our Executive Director, Lynn Tramonte, was published in The Land blasting Congressman Max Miller’s divisive, political, and dangerous call to deploy the National Guard on our own community in Ohio. Following are key excerpts:

If we really want to reduce crime, we have to understand why it happens. It won’t be fixed through a show of force. Instead, we have to invest in our communities. And we know what to do: ensure everyone who works can earn a living wage and exercise their rights in the workplace; fairly fund our education system; and invest in affordable healthcare, transportation and housing. These are things that reduce poverty; expand opportunity; allow us to work, be healthy and take care of our families; and ensure everyone has an equal chance to succeed. 

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There is crime in every city, town and rural area of Ohio, although some of the crime that happens in rural and suburban communities doesn’t get labeled as such. It doesn’t help to ignore the truth about crime, and it certainly doesn’t help to propose false “solutions.” 

For example, violence against women, children and the elderly is more prevalent in rural America than the inner city. Most mass shootings at schools take place in small towns and suburbs. Suicide is also more common in rural America than inner cities. Why isn’t Rep. Miller concerned about these facts, which hit much closer to home? The truth is, this country is filled with hurt people who hurt other people. That’s not a city problem — it’s an us problem. We have prioritized productivity over everything else, to the detriment of our mental and physical health. 

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We have to stop seeing other people as our enemies. People who are different from you are not bad because they are different, and other people are not to blame for your problems. Extreme acts of force, like the one Rep. Miller is proposing, further divide us. What we really need to do is to come together and work to be one as a people, a region, and a nation. See what we have in common, instead of our differences. 

Read the complete piece here.