"We should all be willing to pay more to protect our kids."

[Stinky The Clown]

Last edited Sat Dec 22, 2012, 07:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I have heard that many more times than once. I am guessing it is some right wing/NRA talking point.

The notion leaves me cold. It also smacks of racism and ageism.

Let me continue.

The statement only came to be common in the wake of the Newton, CT massacre. In that context, it is little more than the justification for LaPierre's kooky "armed schools" nuttery.

Where was the cry to "protect our kids" when there were calls to defund Head Start? Or the school lunch program? Or after school programs? Or the myriad of social services that serve mostly the underserved?

The notion, *in this context* of paying more to protect our kids is so full of shit it smells.

We debate whether to give seniors a fair cost of living raise in what is, for the *majority* of them, their only income, Social Security.

But we need to pay more so we "protect our kids" from an eminently limitable act - mass shooting with heavy artillery - so gun people can keep their most outrageous guns?

Fuck that. I ain't buyin' it.

[Turbineguy]

1. Republicans will pay for it

with tax cuts. How does that work you ask? Easy. Republican Math. For every child murdered, the rich get a $1,354 tax cut.

[raquel69]

2. We live in a world

where things have changed. Columbine was part of it. 9/11 tragedy called for change. Hiding our heads in sand holes doesn't cut it anymore. Can you explain to me why we have increased security at airports/on airplanes, courts, Congress, and other gov't buildings post 9/11 but not enough at schools which are targets of certain rage killers?

Oops, forgot kids are not as important /sarc. My city's response to Newtown was to deploy armed police at every school btw. No incidents in my city that day.

[libdem4life]

3. Another logical, non-hysterical opinion.

Nor are the kids traumatized, because they just follow the lead and training of the parents.

Also, Malls, sporting events, banks, some high schools and jr. highs...in fact, pretty much every public building and/or gathering but elementary schools. Not because that can stop every conceivable event of illegal activity that any psychotic could come up with, how silly is that, but to show the intent and the desire to Kick Ass and be First Responders On-Site, if necessary.

[gollygee]

4. The same people saying that

are probably the same ones claiming teachers make too much money.

We should all be willing to pay much to EDUCATE our kids. And we should be willing to create a world where they are safer and don't need armed guards to protect them.

[mzteris]

6. jinx. n/t

[mzteris]

5. Hell we can't even pay more to EDUCATE our kids.

Maybe teachers could get hazard pay in addition to the pittance they receive for teaching.

[etherealtruth]

8. We won't pay more to FEED our kids

[surrealAmerican]

7. It's classism.

People who say things like that are conveniently forgetting that there is a large class of parents in this country who are working their hardest just to keep their children fed, clothed and housed.