Leaders have failed to protect American jobs

In the 1960s there were protests seemingly every day over the quest for civil rights and against the Vietnam War. Sometimes those protest were met with counterprotests or establishment resistance in the form of riot police and/or the National Guard, resulting in chaos and violence. Some people had real passion for their position and were willing to suffer the consequences.

Then we sat back for 40 years, like lambs going to slaughter, while our government failed to protect economic development opportunities for folks to better their lives. We watched as the steppingstone, living-wage jobs moved to Asia. We were told education and higher-paying jobs would fill the gap.

It has for some, but not for most. This policy has been a failure. I sincerely hope there is passion in the hearts of those protesting against the justice system today. It's good to see people care about something enough to get out and participate in protesting against it. But I'm not so sure the protest focus should be against the justice system. That system does need to critically examined to be certain it's treating all fairly. Rather the protests need to focus on Washington's failure to protect the American job market. So many feel the "system" is stacked against them they've given up hope of ever bettering their lives.

Maybe, given a fair economic system, folks would consider hard work rather than crime as the means to a better life, and there wouldn't be so much despair in the communities where stereotyping by authorities is a way of life.

Gary Carmichael

Des Plaines