The question is what can be done? Do I have it right? I'm a pretty average guy, so let me toss in my 2 cents.
First: As a previous President stated: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Fear is the ever present companion of all too many posts. I might add that it's an unreasoned fear, but such is the nature of fear. FDR’s counsel was right then and right now.
Second: See the world as it is, not as those with ulterior motives want us to. Post after post paints our country in stark militaristic, divisive terms. Usually the division is liberal versus conservative (the classical Left Vs Right). Sometimes assumed derivatives such as libertarians, socialist, communist, and Marxist are thrown into the mix. Of course liberals are hell bent on destroying America. These people are not just political opponents, they are the enemy! Am I interested in a reasoned debate with an enemy? Most people say no, instead you fight them.
What's wrong with this picture? Everything! It's a fantasy; it's not the real America. The real America is a country with a rich diversity in economic, political, and social thought. They may be liberal on some issues and pretty conservative on others to varying degrees. This points to another reality. There is no monolithic conservative or liberal ideology. Since most here don the conservative mantel, ask and answer the following. What type conservative are you? Do you even know? Do you know the history of your professed ideology? For example, are you a paleoconservative, neoconservative, socioconservative, theoconservative, classical conservative, etc. These are a few, not all. Two examples: Conservatives were for and against free trade. Similarly they were for and against invading Iraq. Polls show most Americans when asked say they are conservative, but when asked what does that mean they can’t state its principles.
Do you really want to live in a country with politicians devoid of original thought who instead follow some monolithic principles based on what, or better yet who? You want to live in a country where ideas originate and are carried out in the confines of a single ideology? Here's the oddity, the world has seen and still has numerous countries exactly like that. None of them are successful and freedom of speech, thought, association and opinion exists in none of those States. Is that what you want? Be careful what you ask. To me the next great idea can and do come from any source.
Apparently some of you want a dogmatic political party. You've decided that will be the Republican Party, that is indeed strange. The party that once welcomed all views now becomes the party where conformance to dogma over critical thinking is a litmus test. An ideology first expressed, by what some call brilliant intellectual elites becomes the anti-intellectual party? Are you sure this is what you want? If this comes to past, and that effort is well under way, it will be a sad and ignominious end to a proud and great political party without which some of the greatest progress in American history could not have been made! Btw who leads this small tent Republican Party, who will it run for President in 2012?
As far as Democrats are concerned; We should remember, was it Mark Twain who said? "I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat". The Democratic Party has always spanned the ideological spectrum. They still do. Anyone paying attention to the health care debate understands, that most of the debate (because Republicans decided early not to participate) is between the various wings of the Democratic Party. If Democrats were ideological unified bringing a bill to the President's desk would have taken maybe a month or so. And it sure as hell would not be the current bill.
Political, social, religious and economic diversity is a key advantage and strength of America. It's our not so secret weapon. Since I don't know I can't speak for other families. But I'm guessing my extended family is fairly typical. Politically, economically, socially and religiously our beliefs and religious practices are different. We live in all regions of the U.S., and we work, and have worked in numerous sectors. When we gather or chat online our debates are lively, spirited, and sometimes heated, but we love each other. We are not enemies because of these differences, nor are any evil, unpatriotic, unAmerican, etc. because of their views.
Third: What is this preoccupation and implicit logic that gun ownership somehow has anything to do with political, social or economic solutions? My love for guns is like an art lover’s love of art. There is an intrinsic beauty to a firearm, even a cheap one
. Some I fire and some I don't. Shooting is an exhilarating part of gun ownership. I'm not a hunter, so I prefer combative shooting. It's too bad there are not enough of those ranges around. However, if you are a hunter that's fine, have at it. I have no problem with people who own guns for personal protection, nor do I have a problem with concealed or open carry. I have my opinions, but no need to bore you with those.
My problem comes with that implicit and sometimes overtly stated argument that gun ownership protects anyone from our government. They clearly do not. American history is replete with instances of armed revolt against the State, none succeeded. If the largest, most organized, best led, and sustained revolt against the State, the civil war, did not succeed, and was put down with a terrible loss of life, why would anyone harbor such illusions. Is there anyone who really thinks that the police and armed forces would not similarly crush an armed revolt? Or are you thinking the bulk of those forces would disobey and join the dissident side. The historical fact is that political, economic, and social causes when they have succeeded have done so by peaceful means.
From various posts it seems clear that some think that only conservatives own or love guns. That simply is not true. Here comes an opinion. My guess is that's because most people don't see gun ownership as having anything to do with political solutions to governance. So they never join the gun debate.
Ok, enough for now, but relax America will be fine.
Respectfully Jim
Violence begets violence
Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share.