Macro got all excited.
Posted on 09/02/2006 4:30:16 PM PDT by Shooter 2.5
This article originally appeared in the August 2000 issue of “The Blue Press”, the catalog of Dillon Precision Products, Inc. (www.dillonprecision.com)
Editor's Note: While we're certain that the sentiments expressed in this editorial don't apply to regular Blue Press readers, we're pretty confident that most of you know gun owners to whom these sentiments DO apply -- if so, please pass this article on. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author, although ours are similar.
By Peter Caroline
According to most estimates, there are between 75 and 80 million adult gun owners in the United States. That's more people than voted in the last presidential election. So why is it, when there are so many gun owners, that we are not the DOMINANT voting bloc in this country? Because most of that 75-80 million are stupid, lazy, hypocritical barfbags. Well, I'd like to say something to that group.
Sure, you drive around in a pickup truck with a gunrack and some hairy-chested bumper stickers, and you talk big at the gun shop or the Legion Hall. But will you shell out 35 bucks and join the NRA? Oh, you don't agree with the NRA's stance on this or that, or the NRA is too soft on something or too unyielding on something else? Or maybe long ago the NRA didn't send you your free cap or bullet key ring on time. Well, you know what? That's a dumb cop-out and you're an #sshole. Whether you like it or not, the NRA is the only...I repeat ONLY, effective representation you have in the cesspool of Washington politics. Even the NRA's worst enemies -- YOUR worst enemies if you have the capacity to think about it -- agree that it's one of the most powerful lobbying forces on Capitol Hill. That means no one else fights your battles for you better, and if you don't understand that simple fact, you're too dumb to exist!
OK, you don't give a damn about the NRA but you still want to keep your guns. So why, in the name of all that is holy, do you vote for "gun-ban" candidates? Oh, you don't? So who does? Maybe it's all those other people who were voting while you were sucking a brewski and watching the game on TV. Or maybe you're a good union guy, and the union votes Democrat.
Some years ago, Mario Cuomo, a dedicated anti-gunner who happened to be governor of New York, described gun owners in a most uncomplimentary fashion. But the most damning thing he said about gun owners is that they don't vote, and therefore should not be considered as a factor in any election. How about that? Mario Cuomo is a liberal Democrat and, as such, is wrong about most everything, but he's absolutely right about you. And I can prove it. If you non-voting gun owners in New York State did get off your #sses and vote like gun owners, obscenities like Mario Cuomo couldn't even be elected as dog catcher. The same goes for Charles Schumer; he wasn't bad enough as a congressman from Brooklyn; you dumb schmucks had to let him become a senator! What's next...Hillary?
Then there's my old home state of Massachusetts. Over one million Massachusetts gun owners must be really proud to claim Teddy Kennedy as their senator. And John Kerry, the Kennedy clone, is no better. The entire Massachusetts congressional delegation, both gay and straight, is anti-gun. And you Bay State gun owners are the dildoes that put them in office! Because you sat on your fat #sses, you've got Chapter 180 -- aptly named because it turns your gun rights around 180 degrees -- and you've got an attorney general who wants to be governor and thinks every handgun is a faulty consumer product. Once again, Massachusetts gun owners, where were you on Election Day?
Look at every state with asinine, repressive gun laws and a preponderance of anti-gun politicians -- California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland...to cite several horrible examples -- and you will find enough gun owners to form an unbeatable voting bloc, IF they would get their thumbs out of their butts and vote, for a change. Jeez, what a concept!
We all know the excuses: I'm too busy, my vote doesn't count, they're all crooks and it doesn't make any difference, I gave $5 to Quail Unlimited so I don't need to vote, yadda, yadda, yadda. Well, here's the bottom line...your vote does not count if you don't use it. If you don't vote, then effectively you are on the same side as Rosie (I'm-not-a-hypocrite) O'Donnell, Sarah Brady, Bill and Hillary, Al Gore, Teddy Kennedy, Charles Schumer and every other low-life bottom feeder who knows what's best for you. If you don't vote like a gun owner, you are a butt-boy for the anti-gunners, and you bend over forward to please them.
Think about it. 75-80 million gun owners in this country; only 3.6 million NRA members, and who knows how many active pro-gun-voting gun owners. You can argue all you want about your inalienable rights. Rights are like body parts; they only work if you exercise them. And yours are looking pretty flaccid right now. If you don't vote in the next election, your enemies will elect a president who will be able to name three or four new Supreme Court justices. Which means that by the 2004 election, you will have no guns. And shortly after that, you will have no vote and no rights. And you know what? If you let that happen, it will be exactly what you deserve!
Yes, the NRA is the best group out there. I am appreciative of the other gun groups but there's no way we should destroy one over the other. This article is a little dated but the next election is all too important not to repeat this message. Vote and get rid of the RINO's during the primaries, vote Republican during the general elections and please, please please get rid of the anti-gun, anti-USA dem party.
Ping.
By the way, thanks for all the threads you guys have posted. I have enjoyed each and every one.
You just made me do something I was meaning to do and that's check my NRA expiration date. It's next Feb. and when I renew I intend to become a lifetime member. Oh, by the way, I vote in every election.
"...the swear words..."
The spice of life?
Worse than the gunowners who don't vote is those who vote the WRONG way. I used to work in a manufacturing plant that had a union. I talked to MANY of the workers there who owned guns, but supported Demoncratic gun-grabbers. No amount of talking could get them to vote aganist the way their union told them to vote.
BTW, they did a lot of bitching about the NRA being worthless whenever it lost a vote in the Clinton years. I pointed out how the politicians THEY voted for voted to take their guns away. All they would ever say is that the NRA should be protecting them regardless of how they voted. Then I began asking how many of the were NRA members and found that almost NONE of the belonged to ANY pro-gun group.
They are a whole lot worse than the people who just fail to vote.
Never missed an election yet.
Thing is, if the GOP is dumb enough to nominate an ANTI RKBA RINO for POTUS, I am likely to take my vote fishing.
I've never failed the party, but, this should work both ways!
And that guy would be Rudy the RINO. Heaven help us.
Long ago, back in '68, -- the NRA supported a gun control act that in effect gave away the farm. -- The NRA helped establish the 'principle' that Congress has the power to infringe on our rights to keep and bear arms thru 'regulations' on commerce.
The NRA is indeed "in the cesspool of Washington politics". -- Watch them like a hawk, and keep them lean & hungry.
I have not forgiven George 41 for his betrayal, and never was sure about George 43. Good thing, I suppose, that the AWB never landed on his desk. As a REPUBLICAN I should not have to have the first bit of doubt in my mind, as to the committment of my leaders, to Constitutional principles. I'm loyal, but I'm not blind, yet.
Someone once told me that "politics" and "principles" could not coexist, but I just keep on trying.
I believe that there is a certain fraction of fools who won't vote because their names will get on rolls for jury duty.
Which would be better--having enough Republicans vote for the AWB and having Bush veto it, or having Republicans refuse to touch it because they know that if they pass it they'll be blamed?
It seems to me that for Bush to make a statement that he'll sign the AWB if it crosses his desk, but then make no effort to get it passed, indicates a pretty strong directive that he does not want it passed.
As a Life Member I'd like to agree, but I can't.
Here in Virginia (the NRA's home BTW), they have not helped advance pro-gun legislation, in fact they have stood in the way of legislation that would lessen restrictions on concealed carry, and actually supported legislation that increased restrictions. We used to be able to carry in the non-sterile areas of airports until they put their two cents worth in. They have also supported anti-gun RINO candidates over solid pro-gun candidates in primaries (there reason: He had an "R" after his name and he was an incumbent). On national issues they are a little better, but what they are best at is fundraising. I can't count the number of times they ask me for money every year.
No, the best pro-gun organization out there is the Virginia Citizen's Defense League (VCDL). They have done more for gun rights in VA than the NRA, and are advancing gun rights on a national level, by trying to make it legal to carry in National Parks (something the NRA hasn't even signed onto yet).
I know some morons like that. Really stupid.
It's very important that gunowners stand together and when it is clear that one candidate is clearly better than the other on gun rights, it weighs very heavily on my vote.
What's the latest on this? Last time I checked the National Parks related web site it said that the material is being updated.
No problem with that. Just register as a Republican.
My wife, the Democrat, has been called 4 times over the years.
Me? I'm a Republican and have never been called. If I am I'll wear my NRA tie when I go down to the Court House.
Life member of the NRA and I vote every time the voting booth is open.
Nothing wrong with being a simultaneous member of NRA, GOA, JPFO, SAS, and similar organizations.
~ Blue Jays ~
Never heard of them. Please let me know when they get something passed without the NRA's help.
Fools ALWAYS have poor excuses to do nothing. I used to know a gun owner who refused to rejoin the NRA because they didn't send him that cheap little plastic key chain "cartridge".
My favorite will still be the clowns who complain they get fundraisers in the mail. It never occurs to them since the mailings work, others are getting out their paychecks while they complain they have to make a trip to the garbage can. Pathetic.
This is absolutely right and spot on the truth. Whichever groups get out the vote effectively will win. We know we have the numbers. SO LET'S VOTE!!!
While I am not yet a gun owner, I DO VOTE. I have not failed to vote in any election since turning age 18 (30 years). And I vote for only those who support and vote to maintain our right to keep and bear arms. I have also served on a jury, as my patriotic duty calls for. I haven't invested in a gun to this point only because I have access to them anyway. I will be investing soon as I believe we will wind up having to defend ourselves in our own yards before this war is over. While my son fights overseas for our freedoms and liberties, I am prepared to do the same at home.
NRA Bump
That doesn't surprise me, unless you are a Virginian, or frequent Packing.org or CombatCarry.com
Please let me know when they get something passed without the NRA's help.
We do every year on the state level without any help from, or in spite of the NRA. The National Park carry item is the first foray into national issues.
I will pass your thanks along, and thank you for your kind words. I feel the same as you. I would be fighting along side my son now, but the recruiter told me I'm too old to enlist.
But there is this fallacy that to win one must run to the center and compromise on certain critical principles. The fact is that in order to win decisively, the Left must indeed run to the right and pretend to stop at the center.....but they're really only ducking and weaving with fancy footwork to stay as far to the left as they can. They must play with smoke and mirrors to appease the ultra left wing liberals who truly control the part while attracting the electorate that wins elections. If this sounds a bit schizophrenic....it is. That is why the Dems must not win control...ever!
I'm a Life Member of the NRA and have been a member since the 50's: http://www.nra.org/
I'm a member of OFF: http://www.oregonfirearms.org
A member of the Liberty Belles: http://www.libertybelles.org
And a member of GOA: http://www.gunowners.org
All of them contribute to the pro-gun cause.
Thanks Joe ~ it's only money. >:-}
The reality is that most voters - right,left,center - are not single-issue voters.
Can you tell us, friend, what the "fallback" position being offered by the other side was in the wake of a series of high-profile assasinations culmanating in the killing of Bobby Kennedy? Can you list for us the interest groups which were marshalled in support of GCA '68? Can you tell us what the media was doing to the pro-gun position back then?
You may start the research for your answers here: http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/Vizzard3.htm
To reinforce ExSoldier's point - if we had instant-runoff elections, or a parliamentary system where representation was proportional to the vote, then a vote for a third party would make sense. But we don't, so it (nearly always) doesn't.
I'll second that!
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