When I do posts about gun control, I am always amazed at how reasonable most of the gun owners are, as opposed to the actual positions of the NRA. This article in Truthout was one of those moments where I almost slapped myself in the head and said, “why didn’t I see that all along?”
The NRA is not simply a collection of gun nuts, instead it is many well meaning people who have fallen into an illusion. Unfettered captitalism corrupts everything about our lives and gun lovers are no exception. While the NRA presents itself as representing hunters and those who want to defend themselves, the NRA also represents gun makers. According to this article, the money it takes in from dues isn’t as much as the money it gets from lobbying for gunmakers. I was embarrassed I had know realized this before. As in everything else in a nation living in the false consciousness of capitalism, if you want to know why good people are acting badly, follow the money. If you were a gunmaker, would you rather sell a inexpensive 22 rifle, or a military grade weapon that will make you many times more?
“Annual membership fees at $35 a pop pale in comparison to the millions from industry players who helped finance the NRA’s $136 million worth of influence-pushing in 2010, when the group spent around that amount on legal services, professional fundraising, advertising and promotion, conferences, member communications, program services and legislative action. The institution appears to be more of a lobby for gunmakers than an organization that stands up for gun owners.”
http://truth-out.org/news/item/11360-the-nra-lobbies-for-gunmakers-not-gun-owners
“As in everything else in a nation living in the false consciousness of capitalism, if you want to know why good people are acting badly, follow the money.”
I have been reading your blog for a while now and have appreciated many items you have posted. Still your extreme bias against our nation has been difficult to ignore even if I have been unable to get a handle on it. This comment however, sums it up to me with great clarity. Your outrageously insulting statement of a “false consciousness of capitalism” is perhaps my breaking point. Of course money can and does at times corrupt…but this broad stroke attack on our society is more than I am willing to bear with you. I am afraid your complete lack of any effort at objectivity makes your blog of little value to me.
Gary,
First of all, thanks for giving the blog a try. I also appreciate you expressing your concerns.
Would you agree that being objective wouldn’t mean siding with one nation or economic system but, instead, critiquing them all in reference to the common good? I don’t mean to attack our culture, but to contextualize it within the good of humankind. By “false consciousness”, I mean the artificial value system that has us amassing “wealth” in a way that imperils our own survival as well as everyone else’s, and has us valuing property rights over human rights. By “false consciousness” I also refer to when we surrender responsibility for our actions with the belief that the market itself will balance things for us. I’m not trying to attack our culture, I’m trying to save it.
Instead of quitting the blog you could also post your disagreements. I certainly understand if you don’t want to come the blog, but I certainly appreciate you explaining your experience here and want you to know your comments trying to balance things as you see them would be welcome as well.
Thanks for the feedback,
Jim