Mindless sheep

Many Americans have thoughtlessly fallen into groups that have taken on the characteristic of cults, such as: The Republican Party, the aggregation of people who label themselves conservatives, Tea Partiers and Libertarians. These groups require that people stop actual thinking and accept public policy based on slogans, fantasies and low levels of factual information. In this limited space here are two examples: first, opposition to any effective control of access to guns. Result: guns are available to anyone of any age, mental condition or level of responsibility. Thus Americans have been getting shot at around 300 per day for years. People with guns and their associates are much less safe than people who eschew associating with guns. Having a gun does not increase a person’s level of freedom. Second is adherence to the slogan “no new taxes.” Both federal and most state governments need higher levels of income to provide the level of services that meet the U.S. Constitution’s goal to “promote the general welfare.” We need fairer tax systems to provide more revenue (especially from the wealthiest citizens and corporations) to improve our country

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Mindless sheep."