Let's come together to solve issue

To the editor:

This letter is in reply to Stephen Erwin.

It is not a good idea, Mr. Erwin, to label your debate opponent a liar right out of the gate.

While I will acknowledge there is a plethora of innuendo, half truths, misrepresentation and outright mendacity on both sides of this debate, casting aspersions is not the wisest thing to do.

We have a problem, and the problem, has many facets.

The good Lord gave us two ears, but only one mouth, we would all benefit to use the former more than we do the latter, and as my grandma always told me: “You draw more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”

We can, should and must work as a nation to solve the scourge of gun violence. Standing and shouting at each other hasn’t, doesn’t and never will work. Having respect for one another’s opinions is a good place to start.

Gun violence is not a Republican problem, it is not a Democratic problem … it is an American problem.

I am sure you have good ideas on how we can solve this problem, Mr. Erwin, and I would like to hear them. I am certain many Americans have good ideas and we need to hear them as well.

A solution, no doubt, involves improvements in how we address mental health issues. A solution may require us to look at how we can more effectively confront background check shortcomings. A solution may involve a more coherent strategy of gun classification, a fact Mr. Erwin addressed in his letter, and I agree with his assertion.

Thank you Mr. Erwin for your letter, but please, don’t call people who have a different opinion than you liars. Language like that only inflames and divides.

We can only solve this problem when we respect these differences and are willing to listen.

As a wise person once said: “Come, let us reason together.”

Michael Kinser

Portland