Knowledge of worse
Marilyn, there is no right or wrong to this conversation, please just remember that. This is debating, and that requires individual opinions, facts and statistics being the greater. All countries have their problems, America's is guns.
I know that this is just a healthy debate and that no one is wrong, but it is depressing to think about the problems in the USA. Linda is correct in that we do feel we have to protect ourselves against criminals. Here in little old Jasper Missouri area, population about 1700 total including rural routes, there have been 4 murders, two rapes, and so many burgleries its not even news anymore. The murders were two domestic violence, two cops. The two cops were killed with illeagal guns, the two women were killed by their own husbands bare hands. I do not rely on a gun to pritect me though. I hate guns really. I'm so scared of them. I have a 110 pound German Shephard friend who protects me. He's fast as a wolf and smart as some people (well I'm a little biased about him I guess). He sleeps by my feet and is gentle as a dove with my kids. He is a very special friend. I do not go on walks without him. His name is Joshua. He is a beautiful black & tan.
Your view is somewhat positive about people Anthony, I like that. But in reality, our nation has so many social problems and so many people like me, as a social worker, who feel pretty helpless to effect positive change on a systemic level because of the rediculuos politics. It protects the rich few. Where as many other nations have gone more toward a socialistic society the United States is still very much a capitolist society where a very few get extremely rich and everybody else wonders if they will have enough money to make it from paycheck to paycheck. Yea we pay fewer taxes, at least the rich do, but we still fall very short on the mark of having a fair and equitable system of government. Please understand, guns are the least of our problems. Take away the guns then perhaps the (this is probably spelled wrong) bouseausee will have complete contol of we the proletariot. Better watch what I say. With this new so called Patriot act I could be investigated for just using that word online! Sometime when you have time, check out that act, you'll be both surprised and appalled. Perhaps you can trust your government to make good decisions. We have pedophiles in our government! Sorry my fellow Americans. Just a little disillusioned right now. I wish guns was our only problem! I know I started out in this thread displaying a bit of pride, but as I think more on the topic I realize how many problems do exist and wonder if other nations have such problems with teen pregnancy, domestic violence, child abuse & neglect, crime, poverty, functional illiteracy, chronic mental illness, homelessness, racism, covert sexism, discrimination, and socioeconomic disparity. :eek: