Interesting public opinion poll

Andy:

Thank you for proving a point I've been making for years now. "I have work, family and other obligations that keep me from being an expert on everything." For years I have engaged in activism for a number of causes, including gun rights. But whereas my opponents on issues (i.e., the Left) have readily been able to marshall relatively large numbers of supporters, very few on "my" side will put out any effort.

I knew one fellow who has been a NRA lifetime member for decades. When I brought up something about contributing, he said, in essence, "I bought my lifetime membership. I've done my part."

I love that statement about "work, family, and other obligations." I have heard that so many times in my activist career, it can see it coming a mile away. The other side has those things, too. But somehow they find time to stay caught up (more or less) and to engage in activism.

(Anecdotally, in 2004 I took part in a conference call with my U.S. Senator at the time on Second Amendment issues. The then-still-in-effect "Assault Weapons ban" come up, which the Senator referred to [quite appropriately] as the "Semi-Auto ban." One fellow in the call spoke up and said, "Uh, what's this ban on semi-autos? I have a few semi-autos." He sounded very worried about his personal legal future. In the quick discourse that followed, it became clear he knew nothing of the 1994 law. And this fellow was supposed to be someone deeply interested in the issue.)

On another issue, I took part in a regular weekly demonstration for a certain cause. A "conservative" couple who agreed with our position came up to us once and told us they agreed. The man said he'd seen us there before, but didn't join us because, "I had to work." What bothered me wasn't so much him not trying to change work schedules around to fit in participation (or the fact his wife, who presumably did not work outside the home, didn't turn out for the events), but rather the almost prideful attitude he displayed. He didn't didn't seem disappointed by missing out. In fact, he almost seemed self-righteous about it. "I had to work. I had to seek my own interests."

Too many on "our" side suffer from what almost seems to be a conscientious objection to cooperation and sacrifice. The American "rugged individualism" of the past (which somehow still left open the opportunity for militia service and helping with a neighbor's barn-raising or a community event) has been warped by complacency and the 1970s' "Me Generation" liberalism. Some almost feel that to sacrifice a little bit of unessential personal indulgence ("liberty") in favor of working together for a substantive amount of "security" for your rights (if you can do research, find the ACTUAL Franklin quote... oh, here it is: http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/hh/11/hh11q.htm ) would be immoral.

The problem is that literally decades or centuries of inactivity by pro-gunners have brought us to this point. The NRA acknowledges it only began focusing on legislative matters in the 1950s. By failing to fight Supreme Court decisions in 19th Century, and then of course, the 1934 law and 1939 Miller case (I'll let you find those yourself), WE set the stage for what came about. (I saw one laughable comment on another site about a report on Heller: "How could the NRA let it come to this point?!" The NRA had been fighting. Had he?) As a result, we have lost our right to the "liberty" of self-indulgence. We now need to sacrifice in order to secure (actually, regain) the blessings of our liberty.

Even before the Heller decision was handed down, I knew what the common reaction of gun rights supporters would be: Either A. "Oh, it's done, so I don't have to follow politics or contribute anymore;" or B. "What?! They didn't just say, 'Hey, you can own and carry a machine gun!' I'm disillusioned and not going to do anything anymore." It's because of that very narrow focus on self-interest and desire to avoid activism. They looked for a quick fix in one court case, and either pretend it's there or ignore the opportunity it presented.

The Heller case opens the way for more advances in gun rights, but ONLY if pro-gun activism increases. (There was an article here some time back comparing this opportunity to the one squandered regarding Court decisions limited the federal government's "interstate commerce" overplays of power.) That means the need for SACRIFICE. It means maybe taking some time off work to go to a gun rights rally. It means maybe changing family plans to fit in some time at election offices of pro-gun candidates. It means putting off a purchase of something "nice" to contribute to pro-gun advertising campaigns.

And for the record, I've done all that. I've gotten off work for public events, and greatly altered personal activity and even sleep schedules for them. I've given money. I've sometimes had more hours in campaign headquarters than anyone but the one paid staff member (apparently all the retired people were too "busy", while the other side was bringing their kids in to help out!). I've kept up on information, and if I didn't know something, I kept my mouth shut until I did know. I cut into a life I liked to enlist at age 35 when people half my age who supported the current conflicts even more than I did were focusing on college or whatever. Yes, I put my money (and sweat and blood) where my mouth is.

You have more private responsibilities than I do. I respect that. The interesting part is that, when one supports causes he or she believe in, you are actually helping your family. Imagine someone telling their raped daughter, "I'm sorry I couldn't stop the rapist. After President Barack Hussein Obama's Supreme Court appointees reversed Heller and then ordered a nationwide gun comfiscation, I lost my ability to protect you. But remember all those nice things I bought you because of how successful my career is/was, and how much time I spent with you?"

You are correct: Ignorance will bring us down, and sniping at one another may also. But both of those pale in comparison to what will truly bring us down: self-focus. Feel free to be mad at me, but don't "cut off your nose to spite your face" by refusing to sacrifice for your cause.