America prides itself on having a democracy where people can speak their views without retribution of violence, whether it be from the people or the government. We settle our difference peacefully.

How should civil discourse proceed in this country in the wake of the shooting Saturday of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona?

It is hard to say. There have always been conflicts and disagreements in U.S. politics and there always will be. Violence, however, is never the answer.

In the wake of the shooting, people will argue and debate over gun laws, over access to elected officials and over the vitriol of the past decade in American politics.

But the real issue is mental health. Our country as a society does not take mental health nearly as seriously as it does physical health. Too many people with mental health problems fall through the cracks or are simply medicated and not given the care and attention they might need.

So how do we fix the system?

That’s a tough question.

For now, we urge people to hold out hope for the survivors of the rampage and to remember those who perished: Nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green; federal Judge John Roll; Giffords aide Gabe Zimmerman, 30; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwin Stoddard, 76; and Phyllis Schneck, 79.