The Choice Between Rugged Individualism and Senseless Violence

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http://www.politicususa.com/choice-rugged-individualism-senseless-violence.html


The Choice Between Rugged Individualism and Senseless Violence

By: RmuseJuly 21st, 2012

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There is a burden on politicians to start a conversation on gun control, but it is the American people’s responsibility to demand their representatives take action. However, the people have shifted their opinion on sane gun laws over the past four years. From 1993 through 2008, a majority of Americans prioritized gun control over gun rights, with a particular increase in support for gun control after the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. A few months after that incident, 62% of Americans said controlling gun ownership was more important than protecting gun rights, but after the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, only 60% said gun control was more important. Today it is evenly divided between sensible gun laws and the Wild West. The issue has not been helped by ALEC’s “stand your ground” campaign that led to the stalking and murder of Trayvon Martin, or the notion of rugged individualism and anti-government rhetoric from conservatives that exacerbates the situation immensely.

It is a sad commentary when American individualism is defined by guns that embolden people to kill, prepare for a race war, or rebel against the government so-called patriots are convinced is imposing unconstitutional laws such as the Affordable Care Act, banking reform, or clean-water regulations. It is unclear why half the population thinks a nation of gun-toting citizens will ensure a safe society, but within hours of the Colorado massacre the internet was rife with comments that if every person in the theatre carried concealed weapons, the shooter would not have taken so many lives. Never mind the man released two tear gas canisters and was wearing a bullet-proof vest, or that in the fog of the tragedy and tear gas there would be stray bullets flying from all directions, and yet that is the mindset of gun advocates and their instigators; the NRA and ALEC.

America will continue to be dangerous and a violent society as long as Americans feel the need to arm themselves. The violence inherent in gangs is the result of a lack of good jobs and secure future, and the people’s need to protect themselves stems from religious fanatics and bigots intent on imposing their will on the entire population. The constant drumbeat of “loss of liberty” by conservatives and Republicans contributes to the discontent among racists, religious extremists, and so-called patriots frightened that an African American President is robbing them of their dog-given constitutional rights, and they are inciting an ever-growing segment of the population to prepare to wage war against the government for executing legislation conservatives disagree with.

However, the real problem is the American people who adhere to the notion that might makes right and without a side-arm or assault rifle, they are not “real Americans.” In fact, mentioning gun control elicits outrage from all walks of life and this article is not a call to disarm; it is a call to sanity and reason, because without some serious discourse on the conditions driving people to support the proliferation of guns, there will be a race war, more massacres, and eventually, the civil war Ted Nugent and his ilk dream about.

Yesterday, Sarah Jones asked, “can we talk about gun control and personal responsibility yet?” The answer is probably not; because until there is a conversation about the mindset that makes carrying a gun necessary to be an American, and why there is a need for self-defense, going to a theatre, high school, or a political rally will remain as hazardous as a firefight in Afghanistan, and a conversation about gun control will be political suicide.