Great topic...thanks for posting.

There is a more fundamental argument taking place in our nation today that influences how we think about health care, gun control, religious expression, public safety and education, everything, really...The argument is this:

Does an individual have the right and responsibility to take care of themselves or should every individual expect others to care for them?

You can see how this argument affects all the others. For example...

GUN CONTROL
-- I have the right to defend myself, therefore I should have access to the weapon of my choice. Because rights come with responsibility, I am responsible for knowing how to properly use and secure that weapon.
-- My personal safety rests in the hands of others. Personally owning or carrying a weapon is unnecessary. With the right law and right enforcement we can manage the behavior of people so that my personal safety is insured by the actions of others.

HEALTH CARE
-- I have the right to pursue health in all it's forms. Because rights come with responsibility, I am responsible for pursuing a healthy lifestyle and the resources necessary to access the health care I need when my body or mind begin to fail.
-- My health care rests in the hands of others. By law others should be expected to identify, treat and provide for my health care needs regardless of the lifestyle I choose to pursue.

And the list goes on...

The difficulty of the fundamental question is that it doesn't have a solution. Most of these questions don't represent a problem to be solved, but a tension to be managed. Like getting hungry - it's morning. I'm hungry for breakfast. I'll eat an egg and some toast. Problem solved, right? Not really. By lunch I'll be hungry again. Being hungry isn't a problem I'll ever solve. It's a tension I'll daily manage.

So how do we manage the tension between individual rights and responsibility and community cooperation?

Let's take a look at your questions...the answer to all of them is the same.

How can we improve our mental health system to identify and help those that need it?
-- This begins with personal responsibility. The individual and the family are the first line of identification and treatment. We can have the best mental health system in the world, but we'll still miss the opportunity to assist the mentally ill if no one takes the personal responsibility to notice.

Is it possible to bring God back into schools and if so, how?
-- This begins with personal responsibility. The individual and the family should be able to clearly articulate their belief or lack of belief about god and be willing to have an honest conversation about the strength and weaknesses of their belief. Education shouldn't simply be about the partially digested wholly regurgitated "facts" of our day, but should include an exploration of undiscovered country. Science will be best served when challenged by religious and philosophical thoughts. Religion and philosophy will be best served when challenged by well reasoned arguments. Our students - and ultimately our society - will be best served when we expect our schools to be a place that encourage these conversations rather than limit them.

What steps can we take to stop those who wish us harm from getting guns?
-- This begins with personal responsibility. The laws we need are on the books. We need to enforce them. We also need to recognize that law is a deterrent, it is not a guarantee. A wicked individual, with wicked intent will always find a way to accomplish wicked things regardless of laws or access. 9/11 demonstrates what wicked people can do with a box cutter.

Interesting idea - people fear what they don't understand. Let's take the mystery and 'hollywood' out of guns and train people how to safely use and secure them. Let's make self defense part of physical education classes in school - not focused on weapons, but not excluding them either. Let's 'arm' people with the knowledge they need to interact with law enforcement and protect themselves whenever necessary. The intent here is not to train warriors, but individuals with the confidence to manage a frightening, chaotic and potentially life threatening situation. Basic first aid would be a good part of this curriculum.

Is it possible to make our schools and public spaces safer?
-- This begins with personal responsibility. More law isn't really the answer. With every law that's written we lose part of our freedom. Laws are necessary, but they should be well written and carefully considered before we pass them. A well informed, well trained public will accomplish more for public safety than any kind of restriction or increase in law enforcement personnel.

Should teachers or principals have guns?
-- This begins with personal responsibility. I have a great relationship with the teachers and staff at my children's elementary school. They are relationships we have worked together to develop. I would trust any of them with my children and with a gun. With the right training they could be the last line of defense in a tragic situation. I understand that what I just said is personal. I've worked to get to know those who will teach my children. Not everyone wants to do this and some, for various reasons, simply can't. But shouldn't building healthy parent/teacher relationships be a fundamental part of education? The student may be the focus, the classroom may be where the work is accomplished, but the 'family' is intimately and directly involved in the success of the education. Let's recognize that and redesign education to maximize that truth rather than circumvent it. In doing so - questions of safety become more easily managed.

If you made it this far - congratulations! Thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing your ideas.

God Bless,
Chad