Tuesday, February 20, 2018

I'm not gonna change anyone's mind but I'm gonna say it anyway

     Throughout history, those in power have done very little to advance the cause of those over whom they have power. Only a very few were (are) willing to give up slaves. Most men didn't care if women could vote, own property, or wear pants. The American consumer didn't care what the working conditions in the strawberry fields were. The burden has always been on those without power to rise up, claim their power, and fight for their rights as humans.
     Generally those in power don't feel the need to act unless the issue affects them personally. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the kids who survived one of the latest mass shootings have organized their own campaign to work to end mass shootings in the U.S., since many adults in power, who have likely not been personally affected by a mass shooting, are unwilling to part with their toys. That's what military style assault rifles are. Toys. No one is shooting skeet, or putting food on the table with them. They were designed to make killing enemies more efficient. That's it.
     And, those who continue to support the right to own assault style firearms, I get it. There's the fear of the slippery slope. Once they tell you you can't own this gun, next they'll tell you you can't own this other gun, and so on and so forth, until we're skeet spearing.  I feel the same way when employers are allowed to use junk science to decide what contraception I can or cannot use, instead of allowing me to collaborate with my doctor to find what works best for me. Next thing I know, my husband of 23 years and I will be sleeping in separate states. But, the other side of that is that allowing my insurance to cover certain contraceptives infringes on my employer's religious liberty.  They shouldn't have to pay for something they don't belive in!
     You're not going to protect yourself from a government that has tanks, guided missiles and drones, with an assault rifle. Mental illness isn't the problem. If you think it is, encourage the NRA to pay politicians to improve mental health services in the U.S.
     The problem isn't that nobody disciplines their children. I'm 45 years old. I started babysitting at age 11, and watched kids even after I had my own at 19. I have 4 kids, ages 12-25, and 5 grandkids, ages 5 months to almost 7 years. I've been surrounded by kids my entire life. I honestly haven't noticed any appreciable differences in several generations of  kids. Some are great, no matter what kind of parents they have and some are little jerks, no matter what kind of parents they have.
     "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." "If someone wants to do it, they'll find a way to do it."   Both statements are mostly true.  Cars don't kill people, either. Careless or impaired drivers usually do. But we wear seat belts, have airbags and strap our kids in some type of car seat until they go off to college.  Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in all states and many states have laws against using a cell phone while driving.  If someone wants to use cocaine, they'll find a way to do it so why not just legalize cocaine?
      The U.S. Declaration of Independence states we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Considering that all mass shootings in recent history have been carried out by people holding assault rifles, they could be considered an impediment to LIfe. Does it make sense that some people's Liberty and pursuit of Happiness should supercede the general public's right to Life?