Too often our elected officials use their official positions to spin, stretch and sometimes out right lie about any given issue that may be in debate in government. Recent examples of hyperbole overtaking logic and prudence would be the “spin” that the Health Care legislation included “Death Panels” or that the census was dangerous. Neither of these positions hold water or merit and those who made those assertions I’m certain are well aware of that as well. These were statements made by politicians for the sake of political theatre and ear catching sound bytes that might lead to a stronger base for their party and the appearance, however false, that they were fighting for the little guy, or grandma. The real victim in all this is the American people and the Bills themselves.

In the real everyday world if someone lied about someone else or someone’s product it could be considered slander and legal action could be taken. No such protection exists for Bills put into congress. This allows members to stretch the truth when talking about Bills in a manner that may lead to any one Bill’s defeat or passage and stands firmly in the way of real debate about the actual merits and consequences, positive or negative, of that bill. This causes confusion in the electorate and consequently good ideas get pushed aside because of the chaos created by such inappropriate behavior.

Far too often I hear folks talk about how corrupt their government is and how politicians “are just that way”. And far too often I see folks vote in the same people again and again and then act surprised when the economy collapses or when we find ourselves at war with an enemy in a country that never attacked us.

I in no way think taking an oath means they’ll suddenly be on better behavior up on the hill but perhaps some consequences for deception could limit those improper impulses. If they can not prove that what they said about a specific bill was true then they could be censured, fined or removed from office or worse, barred from ever serving again.

This is our country and they work for us – and they need to tell us the truth. It will, however, be up to us to be listening.

Here’s the link to the video that appeared in part on CNN today:

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-412773

Or so says the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of these United States.

A lot of folks like this amendment.

They feel it gives them some sense of individual sovereignty. I do find it odd that these same folks only choose to quote a portion of the amendment. They often leave out the “well regulated militia” part and they seem to perhaps forget to ask the question “regulated by who?” or perhaps “what?”. No matter – they like their guns and they can have them.

Anyone who’s ever had a gun pointed at them in a hostile manner knows the feeling of wanting one to point back. So I get it. I do. We all like to feel safe.

Safe. We like safety. Security. And the freedom to enjoy it.

But why did some folks feel the need to show up to a Presidential appearance armed to the teeth – or at least biceps – with semi-automatic rifles and hand guns? There was no need to have the guns there. No battle was expected and nobody needed armed intervention seeing as how the Secret Service and local Police force were in attendance – and I doubt they needed extra help. So why come to the President of the United States’ appearance in Arizona ready for a fight? To protest? To protest what?

According to the Arizona Republic one of the men with an automatic rifle who wished to not be identified reportedly said that he brought the weapons because he could and that “In Arizona, I still have some freedoms.”

Some? Some freedoms?

Wait…didn’t want to be identified? You mean showing up with a gun to an event where the Secret Service would be present meant you get to keep your anonymity?

And I’m sorry, wouldn’t, I mean, if I was to want to take freedoms away from folks wouldn’t I start with the one about the guns? And then proceed from there? If my intention was to take away freedoms I’d want to keep you from shooting at me first I’d think. But no matter. Back to that issue. Freedoms…he said “some”, meaning “some others” were perhaps no longer available. All out.

What freedoms have been taken away exactly?

Well the answer is none. So why is this guy showing up with a posse when our President is speaking about Health Care? This guy was angry. Riled up about losing nothing. And at the wrong event even. If Obama was talking about gun control laws to make it harder for kids to show up to their high schools and take out their hormonal rage in a barrage of bullets I’d maybe get the context. So why did they show up?

As far as I know well…no one knows why exactly – we all have our thoughts on it though.

It does however point out the difference between right wing and left wing activists, between left and right extremism – when the right gets angry they show up with guns and occasionally kill doctors – when the left gets angry they give speeches, put on plays and chain themselves to things – maybe blow up a building to free some monkey’s.

Both on the fringe at times. Both like making hand painted signs depicting the other as Hitler or a Nazi. Both are filled with hatred or aggressive frustration. Both scream very loudly making it difficult to hear what they are saying. Both have the right to bear arms but only one side shows up packing semi-automatic heat.

It makes me wonder if either side bothered to remember where they lived. In the United States of America – we have laws – we have regulation – because some of our citizens occasionally get angry and occasionally like to take out their hormonal rage on each other. And that regulation is a good thing and it doesn’t mean they can’t have their guns. They forget that it’s their government, not the government. Which means the only freedom they should be paying more attention to is the freedom to vote for who they want to represent them in their government.

No one’s trying to take their guns. Can someone please tell them that and why you’re telling them about how safe their guns are hand them a document – you can download it as an app – it’s the U.S Constitution. It’s a good read. Might calm their nerves and remind them where they live. Remind them that they’re safe. And free.

Take it from someone who once had a gun pointed at him on the border between two countries – neither of them the United States.