Going Postal

In the 1970s and 80s, there was a rash of workplace shootings in, of all places, Post Offices. It even inspired a new term to describe when someone lashes out in extreme anger. We say that the person is “going postal.”

One would think that in all of this time someone would have come up with a solution, a way of identifying and calming enraged people who seek violent retribution on their colleagues or other people in their communities. One has to wonder what sort of rage could drive a person to lash out like this. Did Bill forget to return your stapler? Is that really worth killing a bunch of people?

But, sadly, nothing was done. Firearms are more ubiquitous and more powerful than ever. They are easy to acquire. Laws that prevented people with emotional difficulties from owning a weapon were struck down.

The American system is profoundly broken. Everything is driven by profit. If mass murders caused corporations to lose tons of money, politicians would be compelled to act. But instead, violent events actually enrich corporations. Every time there is a mass shooting, people run out and buy more guns. Gun manufacturers and retailers keep making money. Police forces gain additional funding. So what if nine people die in a rail yard or twenty kids die in a first grade classroom? As long as the corporations keep making money, the politicians won’t lift a finger to change things.