Did I miss the government taking away everyone's gun?

Whether or not one political party believes in science and facts shouldn't deter the rest of us, who live in the real world, to focus our attention and energy on getting this ridiculous ban repealed.

Stephen Paddock didn't fit the stereotype of a mass murder, yet, that is exactly what he was. To say there is a need for further research on the causes of mass gun violence is an understatement. Yet, for political purposes, any government research into this very common danger has been banned. We have people like the current governor of Kentucky tweeting nonsense "that evil can't be regulated," as if we should discard the entire criminal code and criminal justice system. At some point, public safety should matter and the current ban on government research into gun violence should be repealed.

The long list of costs associated with gun violence in American is enormous. Perhaps it's time for gun owners to shoulder some of the responsibility their rights and freedoms cost everyone, gun owners and non-owners alike.

The idea that fact-based research on gun violence is somehow invalid or a problem is cynical beyond belief. It's time to take a strong stand against the lobbyists and politicians with innocent blood on their hands in their quest for more money. The war on science is harmful to us all and will only continue to get worse if we do nothing.

As mass shootings continue to increase in frequency and intensity, Americans need to see the true cost of our current gun policy. This means showing, in graphic detail, the true horrific carnage wrought by gun violence in order to penetrate the deep walls of denial preventing rational gun policies. Nothing short of that will make a difference.

This is what "Make America Great Again" really means and it's ugly.

Apparently, our wealthiest citizens are struggling and all Americans should devote even more resources to their upkeep, or as the book title suggested, "Pity the Poor Billionaire."

Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, perhaps for a reason. The idea that the GOP is the party of fiscal responsibility is a joke. They are shills for corporations and the ultra-wealthy, with their endless gluttony. This is the party that wanted a congressional investigation for $16 muffins at an Obama conference, yet Tom Price wasted over $1 million of taxpayer funds on private jet travel in a few short months (and never even offered to reimburse the taxpayers for his wife's seat.) As we've seen, time and again, gluttony and hypocrisy are the cornerstones of Republican leadership.