We certainly have our problems in this great nation but, despite that, it is the greatest country on the planet and I am thankful every day to live here.
That being said, I must admit I scratch my head from time to time on some of the many laws we have and how contradictory they are to our well being. Here are just a few.
Recreational marijuana is legal in only 21 states at this time and many states are fighting to oppose it. In those same states, cigarette and tobacco use is, of course, legal. Tobacco causes cancer and it kills countless numbers of Americans every year. Marijuana is less harmful than a bottle of scotch. Also, legalizing weed, which would be taxed, will increase state revenue and eliminate drug cartels and pushers from selling it.
In this country, our 18-year-old men and women can join the military to put their lives on the line to defend our nation but they are still not eligible to buy a beer. Something is really wrong with that.
On Social Security, it is a well-known fact that in the not-too-distant future we will be coming up short to pay full benefits to retired people who have contributed all their lives. Yet if you currently make more than $160,000, you no longer have to contribute beyond the taxable maximum of $160,000. Why? These are the folks who can afford it the most, and the guy with a family who works two jobs to pay the bills still pays every week out of his paycheck. Not fair.
Not long ago people were outraged at ballplayers and others who disrespected our flag and took a knee during the national anthem. I was one of them. Some players and protesters still do. Do you know that in 1989 the Supreme Court ruled it legal to burn our flag in protest? Why is that Okay., and where is the outrage over that?
Most states no longer allow public schools to have prayer, Christmas shows now are called Holiday shows with no more carols with religious connotations. No mangers or mention of Jesus. So sad.
And, lastly that brings me to our gun laws which are difficult for most to understand and accept.
In many states, an 18-year-old can go into a gun store and buy handguns and semi-automatic rifles with rounds of ammunition. In those same states, he is not old enough to buy a six-pack of beer. Who endorses a law like that?
It is an absolute travesty that the leading cause of death in our country of children is guns. Also mass killings are at an epidemic proportion. Just think for a moment that with all the around-the-clock research scientists and medical professionals do to find cures for childhood diseases and other deadly epidemics that there was a historic breakthrough. That by eliminating just one thing in our daily lives these children would still be alive and future generations would no longer be in danger. That one thing of course is guns.
Imagine our country being safe with no more gun violence. Impossible you say? Well there is evidence to the contrary. It can be done.
I recently read an article published by the World Health Organization that in Japan with a population of over 125 million there were only single-digit gun deaths last year. We have that in just one night in our country. How can this be possible?
In Japan, gun laws are so strict and obtaining a license so difficult that practically no one has a firearm. No guns. No gun violence or deaths. How wonderful. So sad that is not the case in our great country.
When I left the Marine Corps in 1969 after seeing up-close-and-personal what guns do I made a promise to never fire another rifle or put another gun in my hands again. I am proud to say that I kept that promise.
I have often wondered whether the Second Amendment would have been put into law as written if our Founding Fathers had had a crystal ball in 1776 and they were able to see how our country has evolved and the gun violence that exists today.
I think it is safe to say without a doubt it would not, and that we would all be better off.
Larry Whitlow lives in New Hope.
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