Originally Posted by
prendrelemick
Had a few days off to think about this issue. I've been following Michael Moore's twitterings - and the contrary replies - and reading various articles published by Americans. Mostly to find a rationale for keeping things as they are.
The consensus seems to be that the NRA position that more guns are needed to keep people safe is ridiculous and insults the intellegence. - like drilling a hole in a sinking boat to let the water out. But there are some more thoughtful articles from those against gun control. Michael Moore, inspite of his reputation, pointed out that it was only the arrival of armed police that ended the Newtown massacre, an instance where guns did save lives. He also notes the the state of Connecticut has some of the strongest gun control laws in America.
What came over most strongly was the need to change attitudes towards the gun in America. Gun control can be a start but the problem is deeper rooted. Violence itself is deeper rooted compared with the rest of the world. Americans both fear violence and venerate it as the ultimate answer. Dirty Harry's magnum sets the world to rights.
I don't like cutting and pasteing large amounts of text, but this thread has about run its course and this extract (from Michael Moore again) seems pertinant and takes the debate on to the next step. He outlines 3 reasons for the violence and fear of violance rife in America.
". POVERTY. If there's one thing that separates us from the rest of the developed world, it's this. 50 million of our people live in poverty. One in five Americans goes hungry at some point during the year. The majority of those who aren't poor are living from paycheck to paycheck. There's no doubt this creates more crime. Middle class jobs prevent crime and violence. (If you don't believe that, ask yourself this: If your neighbor has a job and is making $50,000/year, what are the chances he's going to break into your home, shoot you and take your TV? Nil.)
2. FEAR/RACISM. We're an awfully fearful country considering that, unlike most nations, we've never been invaded. (No, 1812 wasn't an invasion. We started it.) Why on earth would we need 300 million guns in our homes? I get why the Russians might be a little spooked (over 20 million of them died in World War II). But what's our excuse? Worried that the Indians from the casino may go on the warpath? Concerned that the Canadians seem to be amassing too many Tim Horton's donut shops on both sides of the border?
No. It's because too many white people are afraid of black people. Period. The vast majority of the guns in the U.S. are sold to white people who live in the suburbs or the country. When we fantasize about being mugged or home invaded, what's the image of the perpetrator in our heads? Is it the freckled-face kid from down the street – or is it someone who is, if not black, at least poor?
I think it would be worth it to a) do our best to eradicate poverty and re-create the middle class we used to have, and b) stop promoting the image of the black man as the boogeyman out to hurt you. Calm down, white people, and put away your guns.
3. THE "ME" SOCIETY. I think it's the every-man-for-himself ethos of this country that has put us in this mess and I believe it's been our undoing. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps! You're not my problem! This is mine!
Clearly, we are no longer our brother's and sister's keeper. You get sick and can't afford the operation? Not my problem. The bank has foreclosed on your home? Not my problem. Can't afford to go to college? Not my problem.
And yet, it all sooner or later becomes our problem, doesn't it? Take away too many safety nets and everyone starts to feel the impact. Do you want to live in that kind of society, one where you will then have a legitimate reason to be in fear? I don't."
