Issue reaction Paper - Essay Example

In this case, it is evident that terrorism is responsible for economic losses, loss of life, and the failure to achieve world peace with terrorism instrumental in ensuring that the basic freedoms of people are not effectively achieved. Despite the issues raised by Mathew being important and requiring urgent attention, this essay posits that terrorism is the greatest threat not only in America, but in the world over. The September 11 attacks highlighted the identification of terrorism as the greatest threat in America.

As a result, discourse was shaped around terrorism and other issues largely took a backstage with the department of defense remaining one of the most funded departments in the country in order to protect the America, its citizens, and its interests.2Nonetheless, Mathew indicates that the largest challenge, and threat, that the country faces is not terrorism, but it is with issues related to the health issues such as medical insurance, underage drinking, cancer, and ineffective gun control.3 It is evident that Mathew has a point on the importance of addressing these issues.

Using the issue of gun control as an illustration, there has been a great concern in the country following various incidents of mass shootings that highlight the importance of strict rules that prevent shooting incidents in school and other places. To highlight the importance of tight rules in gun control, a man opened fire in Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed about 27 people last year with 18 of these people being school children.4It is important to point out that this is one incident, among many other incidents, which highlight the importance of gun control in the country.

Based on this evidence, it is crucial to point out that this issue remains a threat to America although it is not as a bigger threat than the threat posed by terrorism. Unlike incidents of gun use, terrorism incidents can cause great havoc not only to the current generation, but also to future generations. Hence, I do not agree with the statement “Terrorism is not the Greatest Threat” since the threat posed by terrorism is much more than the threat posed by these other issues that Mathew highlighted.

Terrorism is responsible for creating fear in the society, which contributes to low productivity in people since they live in constant fear. In a study conducted after the 9/11 attacks, a majority of people living in major cities were afraid when going to work since they did not know when terrorists would strike next.5Other than creating fear among the citizens of America and the world over, the economic losses resulting from terrorism are enormous. In this case, it is evident that terror activities bring enormous losses that affect the country’s economy.

Alone, the 9/11 attacks contributed to a $3.3 trillion loss in the economy as pointed out by experts with these losses arising from the toll and physical damage, impact on the economy, and the cost of engaging in war in order to stop future attacks.6 From the foregoing, it is evident that there are other issues that are a threat to Americans. In this case, issues related to factors such as gun control, medical insurance, cancer, and many others are a threat to America. Importantly, these issues led to Mathew’