CF,
We would agree with you on this money trail to the arms manufacturers, but, only partially!
We are reminded of how deeply suspicion of government goes in American history by reminding everyone of what George Washington had to do during the 1794 Whiskey rebellion when he had to lead troops to enforce an unpopular tax on whiskey in western Pennsylvania.
We feel that the arms manufacturers benefit from a long held suspicion of government that runs very deep into American history and is interwoven into parts of the American fabric. It would be very difficult for me to believe that the arms manufacturers wanted those twenty children to be killed in Connecticut last December. However, they have greatly benefited from the fact that it happened and have done nothing to stop the hysteria that has arisen from the thought that some precious second amendment right might be abridged. But, it is well beyond arms manufacturers. Walmart has made a fortune off of the Connecticut tragedy and has been unashamed at doing so! They took no action such as Dick's Sporting Goods chain took in removing assault rifles from their outlets. If, as you say, however, those who lead these arms companies are that callous in acquiring profts, we face a corporate amorality that is very scary indeed!
There is little question that corporate America generally has benefited from the hysteria surrounding the gun movement and the greater hysteria driving such as what has been mentioned in OldCaduser's article. There are all sorts of corporate profits to be made from the survivalist movement ranging from ammunition sales to freeze dried food to bottled water and only the Lord knows what else runs in this constellation of spending that goes on around this movement.
We heard a statement made recently that it only takes about two percent of a population in a nation like America to make a cause not only go, but, also, to eventually to triumph. There are well over two percent of the population involved in this crusade! And, make no mistake about it, it is a populist movement. It may not be a majority movement but it is a populist movement. Due to the deeply held feelings of so many involved in this supposed crusade we feel as if the corporate profits are not a leading indicator of it but probably a lagging indicator. We must remember that these sorts did everything within their power to defeat Barack Obama in 2012 and now their frustrations may boil over in other ways that we have not yet seen but may manifest themselves in many ugly ways! This is an ugly movement that features a lot of racism and the areas that it flourishes in are predominantly white. It also encompasses religion and we best be reminded that the most segregated time in America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning when church holds forth. So, even in areas where there is a multiracial culture, there is still racism and its hotbeds of support. OldCad’s article mentions the south and there are probably as many blacks in the south as there are anywhere else but it does not stop the movement or its problems. In effect, this is a lily white movement featuring them against everybody else and when you look at places like Germany before the second world war, it is as scary as hell! Movements like these need a bogeyman or class and America features more than enough of them to go around!
IOVHO,
Regards,
Joe
To say that "God exists" is the greatest understatement ever made across space and time.
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