In my 71 years of being a patriot and a Constitutionalist, I have occasionally been proud of my fellow Americans. All too frequently I have been disappointed in those who choose ignorance and fail to display compassion for their fellow man. Throughout my seven decades as a proud American I have watched as we took two steps forward and one step back as a nation which claimed to believe in freedom and equality but then took actions which offered proof that we have not evolved along with the rest of developed nations. Our founding fathers had a dream, but that dream was flawed.

They failed to understand that human beings are far from perfect. Uneducated and uninformed men and women allow the weakness of emotions based on a lack of information and a refusal to use their intelligence to control their beliefs and allow anger and hatred to replace logic and understanding.

Add to this a political party which fails to represent the American people. The right wing has become submissive to lobbyists who represent special interests and ignore the needs of the majority of the Americans people. The NRA gun lobby, the petroleum industry, the Christian religious right, and many others own the Republican Party.

Right wing politicians are supported by anti-American propaganda groups including FOX Noise, and individuals and organizations such as Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Alex Jones, Breitbart, and others. Their only purpose is to poison the minds of Americans against the reality and the principles of our nation which existed in 1789.

The most evil lobby is the NRA. Their members number just over five million. Republicans allow this very small group to control decisions about public safety for more than 315 million Americans who are not gun nuts. The reason is money. The NRA donates millions of dollars to Republican politicians each year. The opinions and demands of this insignificant group of Americans are unimportant, but have been given priority by GOP politicians.

Here is an example of the ignorance and lack of love for their country from NRA executives and their members.

Approximately 50 percent of all NRA members have voiced their disapproval of how the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have ‘handled’ themselves after the slaughter of 17 students and teachers on Valentine’s Day. 65 percent believe that the students from Parkland, Florida, have been ineffective, and 61 percent claim that they are under the influence of outside sources.

Of course this is simply untrue. In the last 25 years only two groups in America have forced state, local, and federal elected officials to listen to their demands. Women and America’s youth have had the courage and the resolve to make a difference in America while old men are left behind.

If this new direction; this new movement continues, the NRA will soon be defeated. Old white men who have failed our nation for decades will be removed from office. Women who outnumber men; control most of our nation’s wealth; and are enrolled in our colleges and universities in larger numbers than men are ready to take their rightful place in our country.

Testosterone has harmed America. This hormone has caused rash and violent action, and a failure to care for the majority of the American people.

The failed presidency of Donald Trump has inspired Americans who were previously ignored by our government to create an unstoppable movement. They have powerful weapons; they can and will vote. You and I must follow their lead.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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