By Jeff Knox

The Republican Party lost big in 2006 and lost even bigger in 2008. They didn't lose because of opposition to the war in Iraq. They didn't lose because of the floundering economy. They didn't even lose because of a "culture of corruption." Those were symptoms and side issues. The reason Republicans lost, and continue to lose, is because they have failed to keep their promises, live up to their stated beliefs, and they have provided little reason to their base a reason to get excited about keeping them in office.

From taxes to abortion to free trade to fiscal responsibility, Republicans have routinely betrayed the trust of important issue groups and constituencies. But no group betrayed, ignored, and taken for granted by Republicans more than gunowners.

By Steven P. Keller
TheTelegramNews.com

As a gun owner and a strong supporter of private gun ownership and gun rights, I have found it interesting that recent Telegram articles have reported citizens finding unwelcomed visitors in their homes and have greeted them with guns and have fired a few shots in their direction.

This, I think, is part of what the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States speaks to when it protects the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms. There are, of course, other reasons this right is important, but it seems to me that having firearms in the home is important when it comes to protecting you and yours.

It seems as if the criminal element is blossoming like spring flowers in the garden. As home invasions become more common, some way of protecting yourself seems, to me, to be important, even necessary.

There are some common-sense rules about gun ownership and responsible gun owners know the rules and take precautions against an unfortunate accident which still do occur. But lots of people are killed by common kitchen knives which never seem to come under the scrutiny of liberal do-gooders who seem to be focused on eliminating all the dangers in life.