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Done it, accomplished nothing
buffalobo
Member Posts: 2,348 ✭✭✭✭✭
Those of you who keep asking "what have you done?" Let me tell you. Over the course of ten years I have:
1) written more than 1000 letters to federal and state reps
2) given more then $3000.00 to NRA
3) attended dozens of "political functions" to confront politicians on their views
4) spoken to thousands of people to educate them on what 2nd amendment truly means to US citizens.
Now let me tell you what I accomplished:
1)wasted my time typing, postage and bandwidth, received 9 legit responses(3 of those from Ron Paul)
2) pissed away $3000.00 and dropped NRA as I realized it is a socialist organization
3)became known as a trouble maker and barred entry from functions, once by LEO who later told me privately he supported my views but had a job to do.
4)changed the minds and eventually the hearts of most of my family and many friends who now stand with me.[:D]
Conclusions:
I can honestly say I do not believe letters, money, or conversation with people, who do not believe that the American citizen has the right and duty to be armed and willing to defend our freedoms at all costs(not talking money here)will make any difference in how they vote to take away our RKBA.
Until a majority of people believe there can be no restrictions on the right to Keep and Bear arms, and yes this means everyone and everything, there will be no progress in keeping these (IMO) God given rights.
I will continue to try and educate anyone I come in contact with, and continue to detest and speak against those who say there are reasonable restrictions on RKBA, and prepare for what will be the inevitable confrontation.
1) written more than 1000 letters to federal and state reps
2) given more then $3000.00 to NRA
3) attended dozens of "political functions" to confront politicians on their views
4) spoken to thousands of people to educate them on what 2nd amendment truly means to US citizens.
Now let me tell you what I accomplished:
1)wasted my time typing, postage and bandwidth, received 9 legit responses(3 of those from Ron Paul)
2) pissed away $3000.00 and dropped NRA as I realized it is a socialist organization
3)became known as a trouble maker and barred entry from functions, once by LEO who later told me privately he supported my views but had a job to do.
4)changed the minds and eventually the hearts of most of my family and many friends who now stand with me.[:D]
Conclusions:
I can honestly say I do not believe letters, money, or conversation with people, who do not believe that the American citizen has the right and duty to be armed and willing to defend our freedoms at all costs(not talking money here)will make any difference in how they vote to take away our RKBA.
Until a majority of people believe there can be no restrictions on the right to Keep and Bear arms, and yes this means everyone and everything, there will be no progress in keeping these (IMO) God given rights.
I will continue to try and educate anyone I come in contact with, and continue to detest and speak against those who say there are reasonable restrictions on RKBA, and prepare for what will be the inevitable confrontation.
Comments
The point to be made was that the money and letters etc. accomplish nothing to further gun rights as long as majority of populace believe in "reasonable" restrictions
That reason is that EVERYONE recognizes, respects and sometimes fears power. That power can be in the form of a very influencel individual (movie star, etc), someone put in power (politician, etc.) or someone who has amassed power through their wealth and the influence that wealth can buy. Lastly, power can be in the form of millions of citizens who join together and pool their money, political power and influence. Politicians fear this type of power more than any other kind. Reason being is that this type of power represents votes. Votes that can send those scumbag politicians back to where they came from and deprive them of their powerful, comfortable position in politics.
There are 84 million gun owners in America. If only one-half of those gun owners would work together and form/join one/a few national gun rights organization, that power could rule this country. I still have hope for that to happen and to a degree still work towards that goal.
For us to ever have a chance to reach "shall not be infringed" we are going to have to ally ourselves with pro-gun supporters even if they are not in tune with our complete ideas. This is a war, not a seek and destroy mission. Take what advancement you can get then get to work on the next advancement. Look at it this way, if you and I are playing pool for $100 a game and out of every 11 games you win 6 and me 5, who is going to go broke first? We aren't going to win every battle, but we can win the war.
I know you have heard about the 2nd amendment march on Washington and the state capitols. It is a good opportunity to show 2nd amendment support on a national level. Hopefully we can use it to bolster local support in our own communities. There will be people and groups participating that you do not agree with, so what? It is a move in the right direction and we need to get the most mileage out of it we can. I have preached 2nd amendment rights for years and I am frustrated myself. I have not put in the political effort you have, so I can imagine how frustrated you must be.
I do not belong to any group or organization, however I am promoting these political actions because I as an individual think it is a worthy effort. I encourage you to do so as well. There is much more grass roots support for the 2nd amendment than you may realize. Let's see if we can pull it together.
We need everybody
One way to activate, focus, etc. that support is for all those common citizens, citizens who generally don't possess much clout, money, influence, etc. to band together in a nationally recognized pro-gun rights organization and let that organization use the power of our unity to get the politicians attention and cooperation.
So far, so good.[;)]
Many do not believe in such a strict interpretation. That does not mean they can not be my allies.
You see, Scout, this is where you and I differ. Like you, I believe steadfastly that 'shall not be infringed' means exactly that. However, I can neither align myself nor rub shoulders with those who espouse a watered-down version of the RTKBA. Read on, and you will see why.
If the only laws the anti gun crowd promoted was strict bans on all firearms for private citizens, which is their ultimate goal, how successful would they be. Not very. They understand they have to take our guns away one step, one piece at a time.
Exactly. Incrementalism at it's finest.
Well it's no surprise they are winning.
Right again, and do you know why they are achieving victory after victory. One word; compromise. Folks willing to 'give a little' fail to see they are playing right into the hands of the gun-grabbers via the incremental chipping away at the RTKBA. Think about it. When you compromise, and 'give', what exactly are you getting in return? Nothing. You have become a subject, nothing more than a slave that begs permission to exercise a right that was his to begin with. What's worse is that the 'masters' will use this against you later when they decide to take even bigger steps. "Well, 10 years ago you conceeded that EBRs were not needed by 'the people', so why do you have a probelm with us taking your BAR; they both work the same, and honestly, no one really needs a semi-automatic rifle. You can hunt with your bolt rifle." See what I'm getting at? It is a vicious cycle that will only stop with the cessation of compromise and a demand from 'the people' for Constitutional adherance.
They will ally themselves with anyone moving in their general direction, even if they do not totally agree with them.For us to ever have a chance to reach "shall not be infringed" we are going to have to ally ourselves with pro-gun supporters even if they are not in tune with our complete ideas. This is a war, not a seek and destroy mission. Take what advancement you can get then get to work on the next advancement. Look at it this way, if you and I are playing pool for $100 a game and out of every 11 games you win 6 and me 5, who is going to go broke first?
Scout, for the third time in a row, you are 100% correct. While on the surface, the NRA despises Pelosi, Kennedy, Schumer, Feinstein and the like and vice versa, when the loving starts, and the lights go down, and there's not another living soul around, the NRA woos the gun grabbers until the sun comes up, and say that they love them. Why? It's good for business. They know most people, when frightened, will throw money at a problem to fight it; just look at the public education system. The influx of taxpayer dollars into that system has not helped at all. As a matter of fact, the problems just keep getting worse.
So it is with the NRA and the RTKBA. Members continue to buy the flawed logic that the NRA propagates; 'We need your most generous contribution to fight for your RTKBA'. Then later, it's, "Well, we had to give some on that issue, but look at what you get to keep." Bullschit, pure and simple. Compromise is never a good idea with regard to rights, and support of an organization that has compromise as their cornerstone is at best, counterproductive.
We need everybody to simply accept the RTKBA for what it is.
Fixed it.[;)]
This is a different situation, it's like a custody battle, you can't turn your back on your child just because you aren't getting exactly what you want. You hang in and do the best you can, then go back and try to do better, again, again and again, but you don't quit. I understand after the AR15 your BAR is next, I made that point in my previous point. If they take your AR15 they have a victory, but they don't quit. If we win our AR15 back we have a victory but we don't quit. We outlast them that's my point. It seems I agree with you on the core of your thinking just not with your approach to solving the problem. Use every tool in your arsenal, just do not lose sight of the goal.
I'm not suggesting that we promote sitting down and compromising new gun laws. I'm saying the only way to turn the anti gun trend around is one step at a time. We must first stop the bleeding, before we attempt to heal the wound. As I stated, I am not a member of any organization. There is such a thing as momentum, the 2nd amendment march on Washington is an opportunity to gain some. The voters need to be shown there are many individuals in the country willing to stand up for the constitution. If those individuals are members of an organization that's okay. I am not pro NRA, nor am I anti NRA, they do what they do. That is not an excuse for me not to do what I can do. This war isn't lost unless we the people surrender. We help start a movement that becomes larger than the NRA or any other group, explain why that is a bad thing.
Personally I want to start a central information hub that assist people in political involvement on the individual level. I believe a thousand $10 check with a pro 2nd amendment letter will do more good than a $10,000 check from an organization.
We also need to actively promote candidates, even to the point of finding them or being them. We are not going to accomplish some miracle election sweep where every candidate is suddenly on our side. One step at a time, but we have to take the steps.
We will have set backs, failures, defeats, but if we have more victories we will slowly gain back what has been lost. We most likely will have a snow ball effect eventually. To do this we must try. In my opinion this movement is a step in the right direction. Consider it.
BTW thanks for recognition of effort.
Scout5, so eventually I will have to battle my onetime allies because they believe in reasonable restrictions? I don't want allies who will only get me part of the way.
I am current member of RMGOA and support their efforts, also encourage others to do so.(for now)
As to 2nd Amendment March, I have not researched yet to form opinion, but view it with some skepticism, afraid it doesn't have enough teeth and may be too "nice".
Also thanks for recognition of effort
When you reach the point where you are fighting your allies to advance the cause will we be in better or worse shape than now? I wonder how many of your allies would up grade to your position, how many would try to hold you back? I don't know the answer to the above questions. I do think we need to stop the bleeding, halt the anti gun crowds advancement, and gain some ground ourselves.
To that end I have jump on board with these marches. I know I will not agree exactly with everyone there. It is a chance to draw attention to the 2nd amendment, start conversations in the break rooms, living rooms, church yards, etc. across this country. It's a chance to reach the youth. It's a chance for individuals like me to get involved without submitting to the thinking of an organization. Organizations and their members will be there, I welcome them. We do not know whom we may reach, motivate, inspire. For the organizations, yours included, it is a chance to recruit, swap ideas, reach the public. If we energize the base, we can expand the base. There are many people out there like me, whom vote based on constitutional principles, that are not members of organizations. There are more of is than there are members. Turning a cold shoulder to us is not going to further your cause. This march is about individual support for the 2nd amendment. That does not mean organizations can't support and participate in it. We need them as much as they need us, to reach Mr. and Mrs. voter. In the end, the voters, not the constitution, are going to decide these issues. I want to fight this battle now so my grandchildren do not have to fight it on the street.
No more begging.
No more crawling.
No more phone calls.
No more e-mails.
No peaceful marches.
Prepare yourself, and remain silent as the grave to those that would reduce America to beggers and Third World status.
tr fox is right, if 80 million American gun owners pooled resources this issue would be handled quickly. I don't see that happening. I can see millions of individuals promoting the 2nd amendment on the local level if given some encouragement and an outline of how to do so. Let them donate to the candidates of their choice instead of donating to an organization and the powers that be choosing whom you support. Individuals in organizations should be doing this as well. The organizations are fighting among themselves creating negative publicity and feelings. Negative will not get it, positive will. How do we create the positive? We need the organizations, we also need the individuals, how do we get them involved? How do we get both traveling in the same direction?
EVERY young person involved in the NRA is trained in the perverted Second Amendment that the leaders of the NRA believe in ..that the government has the authority under the Constitution to restrict weapons at will.
Our young people, under the NRA tender mercies, are being fed a line of crap that will eventually choke a free America to death.
There will be NO MORE cooperating with those that carrying a lying, twisted message on gun control...at least not from intelligent people, there won't be.
The hour is entirely too late for `just more of the same thing'...
Your message of `no new gun laws' is a tacit sign that you support the present laws...that you agree that we NEED the laws we have on the book.
The only POSSIBLE message is ;.... NO GUN LAWS....PERIOD !!
Punish the guilty.
Either you support the Constitution...or you DO NOT !!....Yes ..it IS just that simple.
I have no desire to slow the course and thrust of gun control.
Only by the last remaining Americans getting mad will there come the break needed to bring about real change in the downward spiral of this Country.
You march will slow events....counterproductive.
I respect what you have done. Certainly you have done more than I. But I have also put in some time, effort, emotion and some money to the pro-gun fight. I have a lot of agreement in the attitude that you have finally arrived at. But I am not ready to stop what I have been doing. For one simple reason.
That reason is that EVERYONE recognizes, respects and sometimes fears power. That power can be in the form of a very influencel individual (movie star, etc), someone put in power (politician, etc.) or someone who has amassed power through their wealth and the influence that wealth can buy. Lastly, power can be in the form of millions of citizens who join together and pool their money, political power and influence. Politicians fear this type of power more than any other kind. Reason being is that this type of power represents votes. Votes that can send those scumbag politicians back to where they came from and deprive them of their powerful, comfortable position in politics.
There are 84 million gun owners in America. If only one-half of those gun owners would work together and form/join one/a few national gun rights organization, that power could rule this country. I still have hope for that to happen and to a degree still work towards that goal.
tr - I am not trying to beat up on you, because I hope that your heart is in the right place. But sir, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. I read your posts, and I do feel for you. But you are fighting the machine with an ally of the machine. You will lose every time. Wake up man!!