Mayor's message -Spring 2013

Letter to Editor,

 

Franklin Roosevelt’s speech addressing “fear itself” as the enemy of America wasn’t given during the 2nd world war. The speech was given at his 1st Inaugural Address in 1933. Roosevelt in that speech addressed the very concerns of the republic we see today; unemployment, moneychangers, loss of credit and a host of additional items.

Fear is being used against us again by the very same people that used it then. The generation has changed, but the message is loud and clear. It is not a product of the left or right but of our own distrust of government.

The issue of gun control allows the citizen to clearly see the machinations of the lobbyists. Sensible citizens over dinner tables, in churches and synagogues across America could solve this issue overnight. We know what rights we need, we know what rights we’re willing to bequeath to the Federal Government. But this argument is not about us or our rights. This is not about hunters or marksman. This is about fear. This is about pitting the left against the right-pitting Republican against Democrat, which fosters fear to control the populace.

I joined an alliance of Mayors Against Gun Violence following the shootings recently in Connecticut. The Alliance was to be a non-partisan effort discussing issues we see as local government officials. No specific legislation, just reasonable discussion. The Alliance was formed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and is being aggressively pursued by both Democrat and Republican Mayors.

We have an election for the 2nd Congressional District vacancy following our congressman resigning. This article will go to your house following the Democratic Primary in which that same Mayor that wanted and USED this tragedy in Connecticut to rally support is trying to control OUR election. The ads showing on television against Debbie Halvorson and the report card from the NRA are very misleading. I would assume that if the NRA gave report cards for Mayors that my grade would be passing. But we as a community are constantly on guard with respect to guns and violence. The Ordinances created to allow the gun shop to operate are reasonable and responsible. The Ordinances and responsible management have prevented the Glenwood Gun Shop from ever being listed as a source of straw purchases of illegal guns.

Debbie is a friend of mine. I support her candidacy today as I did in the last primary because I know and trust her.  After the incident in Arizona where a congresswoman was shot at a shopping center, we had a detailed discussion over guns and violence. I wonder if the Mayor of New York had a conversation with the candidate prior to placing the negative and misleading ads. The agenda of this group will be displayed at the end of this article. I will be withdrawing from this group solely because I can’t trust my name used according to the agenda advertised. I still support the Agenda and will be doing so with individuals committed to responsible public communication of it.

Once again the moneychangers, the lobbyist and everyone else Roosevelt warned us of in 1933 are at work in America trying to divide the American public and instill fear in the citizenry.

I will leave you with a quote from the 1933 Roosevelt Inaugural Address not known by every American but equally important.

“Our Constitution is so simple and practical that it is possible always to meet extraordinary needs by changes in emphasis and arrangement without loss of essential form. That is why our constitutional system has proved itself the most superbly enduring political mechanism the modern world has produced. It has met every stress of vast expansion of territory, of foreign wars, of bitter internal strife, of world relations.”  

 

Agenda for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns:

Now, therefore, we resolve to work together to find innovative new ways to advance the following principles:

  • Punish – to the maximum extent of the law – criminals who possess, use, and traffic in illegal guns.
  • Target and hold accountable irresponsible gun dealers who break the law by knowingly selling guns to straw purchasers.
  • Oppose all federal efforts to restrict cities’ right to access, use, and share trace data that is so essential to effective enforcement, or to interfere with the ability of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to combat illegal gun trafficking.
  • Work to develop and use technologies that aid in the detection and tracing of illegal guns.
  • Support all local, state, and federal legislation that targets illegal guns; coordinate legislative, enforcement, and litigation strategies; and share information and best practices.
  • Invite other cities to join us in this new national effort.