The American fascination with guns (and big trucks and SUV's) accompanies a
rise in right-wing political extremism. They go hand in hand (no pun intended).
Our AM radio stations are full of ultra-conservative talk shows that seem to
have indoctrinated a rather uncritical naive audience. Rush Limbaugh is the
most famous of these talk show hosts. Americans are stuck in traffic in
their cars and just suck this crap up.
Hell, the Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates from the
Republican party are pro-military, anti-environment, allied with the
right-wing Christian movement, pro-gun rights, anti-conservation, favor
reducing taxes on the wealthy, anti-abortion, anti-mass transit, strongly
against drug use, anti-labor union, very pro-corporate, and so on. Hitler
and Mussolini would have been proud of them! Strangely, the F word
(fascism) is never mentioned in connection with the current brand of
extremism that is popular in this country. Chances are the Republicans will
be elected as they are running ahead in opinion polls throughout the
country. Not that long ago (pre-Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater),
Republicans did not represent this type of extremism. And sadly, even the
Democrats of today are not all that much different than the current
Republicans.
Just my two cents as an MG owner whose politics are as anachronistic as his
car.
Don Scott
'62 MGA
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