My sincere condolences to all American women. Apparently Republicans do not believe that your struggles have been sufficient to “keep you in your place.” After six Republicans on the Supreme Court overturned rights guaranteed by the Constitution to decide the fate of your own body and mind by overturning Roe v. Wade, red states began passing laws to ensure that old, white men would have complete control over your lives.
Gun Violence and Hate Crimes Have Escalated Since 2015
At the same time, these same red states are making it easier for domestic abusers to purchase and carry guns. With no permit required, someone you know has an easier path to take your life and the lives of your children.
You may ask the question, “why do Republicans want America to return to the dangerous days of the old west when everyone had a gun, and deaths by the use of these weapons was commonplace?” You know the answer: follow the money. The NRA gun lobby spends millions of dollars each year to secure the votes of mostly right wing politicians.
Over the last eight years, it has become completely clear that Republicans have no respect for women or concern for their safety. Both domestic violence, and domestic terrorism are escalating at a frightening pace.
Restricting Legal Abortions Is an Escalation of Republican’s War on Women
Of course the most direct assault on women’s rights is abortion. Idaho, which is the most restrictive state in the union in relation to women’s health, is about to pass H.R. 242. It is an effort to prevent what they call, “abortion trafficking.” Anyone who transports a minor, who is not the parent or legal guardian, to receive an abortion procedure or medication to end a pregnancy will have committed a crime punishable by 2-5 years in prison.
I have advice for all women: move away from any red state. They have no respect for you, your daughters, your sisters, or your friends. If they don’t want you, why would you live in the worst states in America?
In states which are passing legislation to protect women’s rights, Americans who believe that women do not deserve rights are finding it increasingly easy to purchase guns and kill abortion providers or the women who seek the termination of an unwanted pregnancy in their states or those neighboring their own. If only these same men and women cared as much for children after they are born.
These Statistics Should Wake You Up
I will show you some statistics hidden from our nation’s people by Republicans and the mainstream media. They will inform you about how quickly gun violence is escalating in America and no one in our federal government is doing anything to end this serious problem.
First, every day 321 people are shot in the United States. Included in these numbers are: 111 die from their injuries: 42 are murdered and 65 were declared suicides.
Second, every day young Americans, ages 1-17 are shot. Five die, three are murdered, and eight deaths are the result of an improperly stored gun in the home which was discovered by a younger American and was loaded.
Every year approximately 117,345 Americans are shot: 40,620 die from their injuries: 15,343 are murdered: 23,891 were suicides: and 547 are killed by their husband or a male companion.
Finally, every year 7,957 children ages 1-17 are shot: 1839 die from their injuries. 992 are murdered, and 693 commit suicide.
It is important to note that these are federal statistics and some of the numbers may be higher. For example, most estimates place the number of deaths from gunshot annually are over 43,000.
America Stands Alone
No other nation reaches numbers near those above. The blame is entirely on the shoulders of our federal government. Other nation’s including Australia and New Zealand took action as gun violence began to escalate. They have eradicated the majority of their problems.
How useless is the Government of the United States? Its primary job is to secure the safety of its citizens and they refuse to take realistic action which would accomplish their most important responsibility.
Written by James Turnage
Find my nine novels on Amazon’s Kindle
Sources:
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: The Facts That Make Us Act
Reason Foundation: Idaho Bill Would Ban ‘Transporting’ a Minor for an Abortion Without Her Parents’ Permission
WSOC-TV 9: Permit requirement to buy pistol scrapped in North Carolina
Top and featured image courtesy of Aaron Burden‘s Unsplash page – Creative Commons License