I remember growing up in the 1970’s. And, it was not uncommon for a father to pick up 8-10 five or six year old kids in his station wagon with not a seat belt in sight. Invariably he’d have a beer in his hand and a couple ready for the drive. We’d get to Mc Donalds order a whole bunch of food to eat in the car on the way to the bowling alley. Once everyone was done eating, we’d roll down the windows and toss our garbage on the road.
Fast forward 30 years and things have changed. There is a small percentage of our population that does not wear a seat belt, but to have unstrapped kids in a car is against at least 8 of the 10 commandments! Yes, the odd time everyone does a little littering. However, the days of people on mass just throwing garbage in the street without a care are gone. Sadly, each year, on our roads a small few still don’t get the message and there are DUI fatalities on our roads. But, it is now a crime and drinking and driving has a real negative social stigma. As a society, we’ve evolved. Spousal abuse still exists, but it’s not cool. Our views on racism, sexism, sexual orientation have also changed for the better.
So, I’m with Piers Morgan on this one, whudda up America on gun control? Since 2001 the United States of America has lost approximately 2500 soldiers in Afganistan and since 2003 America has lost approximately 10000 soldiers in Iraq. That is 12500 brave men and women lost to the tragedy of war. Yet, in the same time period, on American soil the United States has lost over 100000 lives to gun violence. Whatever your political beliefs are, something about those figures should strike you as wrong. If we can curtail littering, restrict free speech, limit alcohol consumption, mandate seat belts, and drastically reduce domestic violence. Why can’t we control the manufacture and sales of weapons in America? Arm the teachers? Arm the firemen? Let’s just arm everyone then? Or, why not reduce access to firearms and make this world a more evolved place?
Hold Tight!
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