19 Ruthless Responses To The Person Who Arrogantly Claimed That Owning Guns Is A Constitutional Right
Sometimes an outsider’s perspective can be an incredibly valuable thing – it allows an escape from the vested interests and entrenched biases that color domestic discussions and can give a more accurate, objective picture of reality.
It can sometimes be really difficult to accept, however, particularly when it involves criticism. The outsider often doesn’t know or care about long-standing habits or traditions, intangible things like loyalty, patriotism and religious faith. The outsider sees only the result of these things and tells it as it is.
This perspective – uploaded onto the subreddit r/MurderedByWords as a response to a post about the gun debate – is a brutally honest summation of an outsider’s view of American society.
For an American, it makes difficult reading because many people are raised to believe that they live in the undisputed greatest nation on Earth. The statistics don’t bear this out however and many foreigners, tired of being lectured to about freedom and democracy while being pressured into supporting war after war, are only too happy to set the record straight.
Harsh? Perhaps. Of course, this commenter has their own biases based on the reality of their own country; we all have different needs and expectations about life and governments choose different ways to serve the best interests of their citizens.
But some things are universal – the right to safety and access to affordable medical care for example – and many outsiders look on in horrified amazement at Americans squabbling over petty details whilst innocent people continue to die tragic and preventable deaths.
Perhaps it might be time to swallow some pride and take a little outsider criticism on board?
Just a suggestion.
Here’s what other people had to say about the response
The author did not choose the title of this article
I'm a veteran. Been shooting for fun since I was 10, own a few. However... my "right" to put little holes in pieces of paper, or even in animals I'm not going to eat, is not greater than the right of any child to live. Period.
As an outsider, I have no doubt that the majority, the vast majority of Americans are perfectly nice, pleasant people. The issue seems to be how America, as a nation, acts as a collective. It's like all the goodness within individuals is forgotten and it loses all empathy with its own citizens.
The perception of America in my country is of a country full to the brim of hypocrisy. It shouts the loudest about freedom but really doesn't like anyone questioning authority. But questioning authority, questioning the president etc. should be praised and actively encouraged. It's like America is the self proclaimed cool kid in class, always making people laugh and easy going. Then another kid makes a light hearted comment and America, unable to deal with criticism, loses its cool and beats the kid to death. Then goes back to acting like the Fonze.
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The majority,of Americans feel the same way. I don't know what other countries have, but here in America we have lobbiest. Which is basically a group of people representing an industry, tobacco, guns, drugs etc. These lobbies give millions to politicians in order to get political favors, laws, etc. Then lets say a politician passes a law that eases a tax burden on an oil company, or lowers an EPA Restriction on a chemical company. When this politician retires, they miraculously get a high,paying board spot in that said industry. Its f*****g criminal.
I've always said the problem the US has is the lobbying. How isn't they corruption?!
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I'm a veteran. Been shooting for fun since I was 10, own a few. However... my "right" to put little holes in pieces of paper, or even in animals I'm not going to eat, is not greater than the right of any child to live. Period.
As an outsider, I have no doubt that the majority, the vast majority of Americans are perfectly nice, pleasant people. The issue seems to be how America, as a nation, acts as a collective. It's like all the goodness within individuals is forgotten and it loses all empathy with its own citizens.
The perception of America in my country is of a country full to the brim of hypocrisy. It shouts the loudest about freedom but really doesn't like anyone questioning authority. But questioning authority, questioning the president etc. should be praised and actively encouraged. It's like America is the self proclaimed cool kid in class, always making people laugh and easy going. Then another kid makes a light hearted comment and America, unable to deal with criticism, loses its cool and beats the kid to death. Then goes back to acting like the Fonze.
Load More Replies... The majority,of Americans feel the same way. I don't know what other countries have, but here in America we have lobbiest. Which is basically a group of people representing an industry, tobacco, guns, drugs etc. These lobbies give millions to politicians in order to get political favors, laws, etc. Then lets say a politician passes a law that eases a tax burden on an oil company, or lowers an EPA Restriction on a chemical company. When this politician retires, they miraculously get a high,paying board spot in that said industry. Its f*****g criminal.
I've always said the problem the US has is the lobbying. How isn't they corruption?!
Load More Replies...
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