Levergun Politics... Thought for the day

[Old Ironsights]

Ladies and gentlemen, I want (the) "lawless Wild West", (oft) whimpered about, because—in a way the 20th century has utterly failed to do—it worked. A sociological study twenty years ago showed that in the third quarter of the 19th century in the "lawful mild East"—Nantucket, I think it may have been (or is that just the limerick I'm remembering?). No, make it New Bedford, Mass.—where hardly anybody had a gun and they suffered 140 murders in ten years and a proportionate number of other violent crimes. In Leadville, Colorado, by comparison, a town of similar size and composition, they had exactly zero murders because everyone had guns and knew how to use them.

Look at it this way: there were so few violent criminals in the American West that to this day we remember their individual names. Can you think of any famous eastern American criminals from the same period of history? If you can't, it isn't because they were so few of them....

[J Miller]

"I want the "lawless Wild West""

I agree - totally.

Joe

[Andrew]

Sounds good. But, do I have to dress like Griff?

[AJMD429]

Also - according to many historians, the general population was far better educated and literate than now.

Now, 20-30% of kids drop out of high school, 20-30% of high school graduates can't really read or do basic math, and IMHO 90% of them can't reason cause-and-effect, supply-and-demand, or understand a Republic vs. a Democracy. (I know those per cents are subject to debate, but they are a rough consensus of various sources.)

OTOH in the old days NOBODY knew the structure of DNA, the speed of light, how to program in FORTRAN, or that platinum would catalyze combustion. However, they DID seem to understand the basic social and economic concepts noted above, which our current generation(s) seem to be oblivious to. Perhaps just a few of the enlightened "founding fathers" did most of the intellectual work, but at least the public had the reasoning ability or gut instinct to go along with it. Nowdays they'd all just be texting each other about what was on television last night.

[Ysabel Kid]

Two parts to this equation, IMHO. First, as noted by OI, everyone was armed, so society was more "polite". Second, for those few that did decide to break the law, justice was swift, certain, and not something a criminal welcomed. Certain crimes, like rape, just got the perp a hemp necktie - with or without a trial. Society, rightfully so, did not tolerate assaults on women or children.

Now, most people aren't armed, so criminals prey on society at will. IF they get caught, and IF they get prosecuted and IF they get convicted more often than naught they go do time where they get three square meals per day, don't have to work a bit, can pump up their muscles and bone up on their criminal skills, and take time out to sue the system. In short, justice delivered is anything but swift, sure and painful.

Any wonder why we are in the situation we are in?

[20cows]

Sounds good. But, do I have to dress like Griff?

Is this a problem?



No, this ain't Griff. (There's 20 bovines around somewhere).

[bunklocoempire]

When I was growing up and temptation would present itself, I was detered in this order:

1. Law abiding folks with guns, I was more afraid of being shot (tresspassing, theft) than anything, kept me out of alot of trouble.

2. Mother & Father. Besides fear of their punishment and disapproval, they would also remind me of #1 deterent above.

There is not a time in my "formative years" that I can ever recall worrying about getting nabbed by police, had I messed up and been nabbed and sentenced I'm sure I would have flown only straight and narrow.

As somewhat mentioned,
These days when possesion of drugs will get you the same time (or more) as murder or rape there is something wrong. Violent crime see lighter sentencing (from what I see), law abiding folks having guns are discouraged, mothers & fathers are absent. The deterents aren't there.

All brought about by "keeping us safe".

Drug crimes (and other non violent crimes) fill up prisons and adds to lighter sentencing.

Gun regulations... we know what that's about.

Over taxation leads to less time for mom & dad with the kids, you can indeed raise kids well if your dirt poor, so over taxing would be a "moral hazard". Time with the kids or new furniture/other.


Bring on the Old West.

Bunkloco

[Andrew]

Sounds good. But, do I have to dress like Griff?

Is this a problem?



If you could see me in a cowboy hat you'd understand.

[El Chivo]

Bring on the Old West.

before, or after, the invention of "therapeutic papers"?