It’s time to stop the empty words! This past week has left many of us devastated after another school shooting claimed the lives of 17 innocent individuals in Parkland, Florida. Frustrated is an understatement; we are utterly exhausted by the ongoing, preventable loss of children to gun violence.
One individual, feeling this heavy emotional weight, decided to take action by sending a check to her local representative to express her dissatisfaction. “Dear Rep. Johnson,” wrote Clara Evans on her social media, “Since you and your colleagues believe that this is the solution to mass killings, please accept this donation.” Clara shared a photo of the check she sent to Representative Michael Johnson, made out for “thoughts and prayers.”
Clara, a resident of Ontonagon, Michigan, wanted to highlight just how ineffective “thoughts and prayers” are when what we truly need is tangible action. It means nothing when a candidate is soliciting campaign funds, and it certainly does nothing to protect our kids.
“I did this because I’m tired of hearing the same rhetoric every time one of these tragedies occurs,” Clara explained. “Media outlets urge us to contact our congressman, yet Congress remains inactive.” She’s spot on. It seems that all many of our elected officials can offer after such horrific events are empty sentiments, knowing deep down that nothing will change.
This cycle has repeated itself after numerous tragedies—Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, the Pulse nightclub shooting, the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and now Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. We can debate the urgent need for gun control for as long as we want, but sometimes it takes an act like sending a check for “thoughts and prayers” to drive the message home.
Of course, expressing condolences is important during times of tragedy. But when innocent children repeatedly lose their lives due to preventable violence, “thoughts and prayers” become nothing more than a cliché and a source of frustration. Clara’s check underscores the fundamental issue with this phrase—it fails to address the problem. “Thoughts and prayers” often feel like a placeholder for a lack of real solutions.
But we can do more than just express empty sentiments. We can take action. Join organizations like Moms Demand Action to begin making a difference against gun violence.
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In summary, sending “thoughts and prayers” to politicians serves as a stark reminder of the ineffectiveness of empty sentiments in the face of continual tragedies. It’s time for action, and we can do better for our children’s safety and future.

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