IMPACT OF GUN CONTROL ON POLITICS

This morning on the Steve Kornacki show UP (MSNBC) Krystal Ball engaged in a discussion on the tired old subject of gun control. The potential rejection of a presidential appointee for Surgeons General stimulated the discussion. The National Riflemen Association, like a ghetto gang in a protection racket,  has threatened any legislator if they vote for confirmation. Their problem was a letter written by nominee Dr. Vivek Murthy; in the letter, he referred to gun control a “public health issue”. There are more deaths from guns then there are from auto accidents—guns obviously are a public health issue. Will he be an advocate for gun regulations once appointed; I hope so.

Everyone knows gun control is an issue Republicans endorse as a wedge issue to attract a very small percentage of voters to their tent. Survey after survey of all groups, even NRA members, Republicans, and any other group of “normal people”, shows that a great major of people want gun control. So who are the voters Republicans are attracting by endorsing the RNA? What would be their “in common” in their personal profiles; what brands them for what they are?

It is my contention that opposition to gun control—as opposed to right of gun ownership—would brand people irrevocably, as proof they lack the lack ability to reason. My first response to their opposing gun control was that normal people should be able to identify them on the streets from among normal people, including gun owners, for what they are. Years ago, we used to brand cattle on the cheek with large “B” indicating they tested positive for brucellosis and had to be slaughtered. In the social arena, there is the famous “scarlet letter”, a reference Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tale of a 17^th century story of a, adulterer wearing a red letter “A” on her breast. In modern times, where accusations of adultery by genetic testing of fraternal twins is proved 25% of the time (different fathers), a red letter would be a pointless exercise. “Branding” people who are opposed to gun control from gun owners would be an equally pointless enterprise because they are quick to identify themselves.

They seem not to realize that the position they take is completely irrational. They are incapable of understanding the objective of gun control. It is beyond their reasoning capacity to understand that gun control has nothing to do with their owning guns for hunting, target shooting, self-protection, or just to show how fearsome—and stupid—they look wearing a black trench coat carrying an AK47. Where is the intelligence in that?

If this small sliver of gun owners cannot understand that, how can they possible understand that the Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, Walton family, etc are using them and people like Pat McCrory, Rand Paul, Karl Rove, Wayne LaPierre, and them so that plutocrats can corrupt government; Washington is broke. The economic elite control the government, hence the Republican Party. They know their views are not majority views. You know that, I know that, and of course, they know that; yet, they persistently capture a majority of votes. HOW?

We are a democracy and still honor a majority vote. Therefore, they use lies and every dishonest techniques known to politicians to arrive at a majority; gerrymandering, preventing Sunday voting, closing polls early, limiting days of voting, voter suppression, closet racism, anti abortion, fear of Sharia law, evangelical support for biblical law, states rights in educational rights to teach creationism and debunk evolution, debunking climate change,  and on and on. Perhaps a bright red letter “W”, for wedge issue voters, hanging around their necks “branding” them for what they really are. Perhaps knowing who they are would help to get our politics back from the economic elite and return it to a reasonable American conservative: liberal or Republican: Democratic debate away from all the stupidity of wedge issues. As an aside, there is deep personal shame for me in having relatives numbered among these people.

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