I was a reporter for a newspaper on December 14, 2012 when a news bulletin interrupted the television program I was watching. There had been shots fired in Newtown, Connecticut, inside of an elementary school. It took me a few seconds to register what I had just heard; this couldn’t be true. Sadly, it was.

As the facts were revealed I began writing the story; with tears in my eyes. How could this be. My America is a country which cherishes understanding and compassion. What kind of animal would slaughter first graders?

When the massacre ended, 20 small children were dead along with six teachers. The shooter, Adam Lanza, murdered his mother before he began his killing spree and eventually took his own life.

When I finished the story, I was positive that Republicans would finally reject the NRA’s money and do the right thing. New laws requiring comprehensive background checks for all gun purchases, and a ban on military assault weapons and high-output magazines would surely be agreed upon by all member of congress. I was wrong; again.

Right-wing politicians once again supported the gun lobby and forgot about the tragedy in a few weeks. As an Independent this was the “final straw.” I would never vote for another Republican.

Donald Trump received more than $30 million from the NRA during his 2016 campaign; some of which originated from Russia, but that’s another story. Since his inauguration our nation has experienced four mass shootings. In October of 2017 a lone gunman, armed with a military assault rifle, murdered 58 men and women in Las Vegas. The following month a lone gunman armed with a military assault rifle walked into a church in a small Texas town and slaughtered 26 men, women, and children while they prayed. On Valentine’s Day this year, a lone gunman, armed with a military assault rifle, killed 17 students and teachers at a Florida High School. In October, inside of a Synagogue in Pittsburgh, a lone gunman, armed with a military assault rifle murdered 11 worshippers. A devoted Trump supporter, the killer shouted “all Jews must die” before opening fire.

Our government continues to ignore these tragedies; tragedies which do not happen in any other nation in the world.

Trump’s slogan, “make America great again,” is a satirical phrase. In 22 months and 26 days our nation has lost respect from every other nation in the world. At his rallies Trump supports hatred and violence. The truth is that Trump’s slogan means “make America white again.”

Although it has been unreported by television “news,” congress has syphoned taxpayer money into a ‘slush fund’ for its members to use when they are accused of harassment in the workplace, and sexual misconduct.

Our government has lost its way. The right-wing does not deserve our respect and must be removed from their lives of luxury and privilege. November 3, 2020 will be the day we take our nation back. Vote!

This is our country, not theirs.

The Truth Lives Here

Op-ed by this “Wise Old Fart,” James Turnage

My six novels are available on the free Amazon Kindle app; click here