Hell No, Beto
The View from the Middle
As you would expect, in last night’s Democrat debate the line of the night came from one of the candidates who is bouncing off the bottom of the primary barrel who was just trying to stay relevant and trying to just get some attention. When asked, “Are you proposing taking away their (Americans) guns”, Robert Francis (Beto) O’Rourke said, “Hell yes, we’re going to take away your AR-15, your AK-47.” I think it is fair to assume that by “we” Mr. O’Rourke meant our federal government.
It is easy, however, to understand why Beto made this ludicrous statement. First, HE…IS…LYING. He has no intention of actually fulfilling this promise, even if all the other Democrat candidates and President Trump died and he was literally the last man standing. And that’s about what it would take for this “1% support” candidate to win. So, we have that going for us, which is nice!!
Second, this kind of confiscation of arms is against our constitution and appears in our 2nd amendment of its Bill of Rights. The second amendment clearly states that, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The fact that this appears in the 2nd amendment should give us a feel for how important our founders thought this fundamental right is. The first amendment protects our freedom of speech and religion, and the next most important freedom our forefathers thought to protect was the right to bear arms.
So, why would our founders put this particular protection so high up on their list of freedoms to safeguard? The short answer is that they did not trust any large, central government. They were, in fact, separating from England because that national government had seized their property, imprisoned them without just cause and taxed them without representation. They feared the repressive, absolute and selfish power of a central government whom they believed could take away rights that they believed every person on earth was granted by their Creator. They weren’t trying to protect the new American citizens right to hunt. They were trying to protect themselves and even us today from the monster that a dictatorial, authoritarian government can become. And I hope that, given the duplicity and dysfunction we see in Washington today, we can understand the “Orwellian” threat that a too powerful government can be to all of us.
Finally, Beto knows he can’t possibly pull this off, even in the absolutely unlikely event that our government passed such legislation. Think about who he would be trying to take these guns away from! As passionate as he pretends to be on this gun confiscation issue, there are millions of Americans who are just as passionate about protecting their right to “keep and bear arms.” Can you imagine our government sending our law enforcement officers or military door-to-door brandishing their guns to confiscate guns from law abiding citizens?
In its own way, this crazy thought is just like the Green New Deal from Bernie and AOC. They can make all of the crazy, insane, inane suggestions, promises or statements they want. They know they won’t pass any of them. That’s why the AOC New Green Deal did not get a single vote in the Senate. If this sort of “We’re going to take your guns” legislation would ever be proposed, I’m confident it would receive even similar support. So, Beto, your 15 minutes of fame is over. Go back to Texas and just try to take their guns way! Good luck with that!
For the fun of debate..... I always find it interesting when someone puts "dictatorial, authoritarian government" in an opinion it is from the right yet they weirdly think Obama was authoritarian when in comparison, no president has ever, not ever and not even close, has had authoritarian actions and traits like Trump. How can this be? I understand the from the middle of Fox news Republican authorianism is granted from God and Democrat authorianism is from Communism. From the middle of the USA common sense men and woman think, as verified by even Fox news that military armed weapons are not appropriate for public ownership. If you take on the Second Amendment is totally correct, then what is the limit on what arms? Guns are not mentioned, it says arms. So if a conservative is an originalist they must believe that arms can't be interpedit in modern terms as the crazy liberals believe. Thus why can't a white nationalist have a rocket launcher? Silly right? So if that is silly then there are limits to "bear arms" ? What are those limits and who decides? So no Beto is not crazy, he is reasonable and this discussion needs to be had. "Hell no!" is an emotional response. But to what? The idea that a gun designed by beloved Russians to kill Americans is above discussion? I think many left policies are lunatic not good for the US but limits on types of arms is perfect for this time. Ask yourself this, if mental health is the issue, then what do UK, Austialia, Japan all have 1/1000 of the mass hate killings? Are they that much less crazy in those countries. If so then perhaps we need to follow their countries policies so we stop creating mentally ill people or perhaps having unlimited arms does make a difference. I hope this stimulates a healthy discussion. Peace my friend.
ReplyDeleteLove your response. Also love your request for a stimulating healthy discussion. There in lies the problem. There is no discussion in Congress. You are either left or right. No middle, no discussion, no compromise & that dear optimistic friend is the fear of those who cherish our constitution. That unforgiving slippery slope! If we put limits where will it stop? Who will make the decision of what is permitted & what is not? How will the black market be controlled? And will other forms of lethal arms be permitted or should they be taken away .... cars! Knives? Planes? Drugs? How do you stop that?
ReplyDeleteHow do you protect all the soft targets you have created? Even the police are damned for trying to protect & control those who are driven to hurt others.
This great country needs a “come to Jesus” assembly. We need honest debate & we need to hear honest suggestions from those in power. Not demands once they are put in power. I want choices! I want the American voter to decide on what course of action we want taken. I most of all do not want someone rapping on my door confiscating any arms I might have & will bear should my property or loved ones be threatened. Peace be with you.
Dale - Beto is absolutely crazy from the perspective of what he wants to do would require repeal of the 2nd amendment. I realize many liberals would love to do that. Also where did you get your 1/1000 data?
ReplyDelete