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drdind

From last September - gun violence is foremost a human tragedy, but it is also a burgeoning economic catastrophe.

“Employers and their health insurers sustain a substantial financial burden from firearm injuries and have a financial incentive to prevent them,”

time.com/6217348/gun-violence-

@Drdind this wonky argument seems kind of pointless to me. Do you think maybe the people who want guns understand something that center left gun control advocates don't? That American gun violence is actually useful in maintaining American world hegemony? That a civillian culture of comfort and proficiency with guns translates to a more gun-proficient military? Maybe America is rich because of all its guns. That's how most empires, work, right? The most violent society dominates? Maybe the right wing nuts see that more clearly than the "let's fix this system" people?

@Geoffberner it is an argument that is worth trying on politicians in purple districts/states because there are plenty in the middle who do not like guns. There are over 300M guns but only 30% of adults say they own one. This speaks to responsible gun owners and the 70% who do not own guns (like me).

@Drdind I guess any argument is worth trying to see if it gets traction, sure. You would think that the horrific slaughter of innocents would be enough of an "argument" without having to talk about how it also hurts The Economy. Kind of like "Do you know how many train engines we're wasting on these cattle cars to Auschwitz? A lot! Those could be transporting important supplies!"

@Geoffberner as I said at the beginning of my post, the human tragedy is foremost. Adding economic disaster atop that may get it done. Just like this: my optimism about possibly avoiding the worst of climate change is because of the clear market viability of renewable energy & increasing viability of electric cars, not because we can get enough people to give a damn about killing the earth.

@Drdind yeah I don't share your anti-democratic, technocratic world view. But good luck! If your way ends up working, I'll be super pleased!

@Geoffberner I am all Democratic.. I weep at lives lost and a planet being murdered. I am also pragmatic. Sadly, it often takes markets to move things. My view is push it at the ballot and in the market. Whatever works for what should be done.

@Geoffberner @Drdind, the US is no longer a dominant force. Russia and China combined have taken over the world. Have you been paying attention at all?

@Agora @Geoffberner I don't agree with that statement, but clearly China has become a giant economic power

@Drdind @Geoffberner Militarily, we don't know what happens if the US goes against China. Maybe you do.
But, in Africa, Russia has taken over with the Wagner group economically. China owns most African and some Central and South American states.

@Agora Yes. A different way to get people's attention perhaps. I am in favor of using all ethical means to do so.