If I want to accurately demonstrate the lack of intellect and the failure of our political system, all I need to do is point to two issues; abortion and gun control.

Both of these subjects should be non-issues, but politicians use them to create an emotional response and obtain votes for their personal ambitions and gain.

The United States was not created to serve religious beliefs or a lobby. Freedom, equality, and individual rights were guarantees granted to all of the American people. The federal government was not intended to control the lives of individuals in situations which involved individual choice or the safety of the majority.

Abortion would not be an issue without the influence of the Christian religious right lobby. The real Republican Party would support the right of women to have control over their own bodies. There is only one reason why abortion moved into politics; Christians are a large voting bloc which has been conned by the right wing.

By their actions Republican politicians prove that they do not believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. They deny his instructions to care for the sick, the poor, and love their fellow man without judgement. All members of the GOP violate these basic concepts by supporting special interests.

Groups which are ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ should not exist. This is a personal situation which belongs to the woman involved and no one else. Real Republicans would not seek control of the rights of women. But they do not exist today.

Gun laws must be enhanced to protect the majority. If Republicans cared about the people instead of the profiteers, they would agree with the polls and create sensible gun legislation.

Sadly, the GOP supports the NRA gun lobby, and falsely claims that any changes in our laws would violate the second amendment. They claim that gun law advocates want to take away guns from law-abiding Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We do advocate comprehensive background checks for all gun purchases. We do believe in a ban on assault rifles, and high-output magazines; neither of which are included in the second amendment. We also believe in prohibiting suspected terrorists living in our nation from purchasing lethal weapons. Men and women on the ‘no-fly’ list are presently free to walk into any gun shop and purchase a weapon to kill you and me. Why the right wing supports their rights to purchase deadly weapons is a mystery to me. Oh, that’s right, the NRA gives Republicans millions of dollars each year for their reelection. How could I forget that?

It is an abomination that these two subjects are political issues. Abortion should be the choice of an individual and not influenced by a religion, which is a direct violation of our Constitution.

Gun control is also a Constitutional issue. The Law of the Land protects the rights of the many against the privileges of a few. We have the right to feel safe as we go about our daily lives. Today we fear our neighbors more than we fear terrorist. Nearly 3,000 innocent people are slaughtered with the use of a gun every month.

When did the American people allow themselves to be brainwashed and remove common sense from our nation?

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

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