I certainly hope this gets out to the public! Art Turner has done a great job in Illinois politics, serving his community. I have mentioned before that he is where he needs to be, to affect change in this state. When I watch the news and see all the deaths from gun violence, I have to wonder about gun control. This is a city and state with the most prohibitive gun laws in the US, and look at the deaths racking up. In the Lawndale area, we find more victims each week, than in Iraq, at this time. I don't want to go into statistics, because that is not important, one death is too many. I think that Art Turner is in a position to gauge the danger of gang violence, and having grown up in an area that seems to promote gangs, I know it did when I was in Garfield Park 45 Years ago.
Art Turner has not only stayed out of gangs, he has done great works in spite of gang activity through out his district. I am a Veteran of the Viet Nam war, and I received a lot of prewar training on the West Side of Chicago. I now live in the Northern most point in Lake County, and I would be proud to have Art Turner serve me as he has the 9th District.
I believe that gun control is about as effective as the drug laws that have created a subculture that exists through all levels of our society. I think that we should rethink the current state of gun control, as only the gangs have guns, and turn it over to the state police, to license gun owners, and educate gun owners in the safety issues that revolve around guns. When some one is shot on the west side, I have to think about how far they are away from me, as the shootings get closer to me (ie. the Northside, Evanston Zion,) it becomes more important in my personal life. If I were living in the areas that I see on TV every night, I would be right beside Otis MacDonald seeking the right to arm myself against the people that would shoot me down in the street for little or no reason. I see on TV shows that a kid has to get street Cred by shooting an innocent person, if that turned into a gunfight, there would be less gang members. I do sincerely hope that the Supreme Court rules in favor of Mr. MacDonald, and all his neighbors Know that he is armed and dangerous.
I hope that some thing can be done about this and I think Art Turner can look at this with insight, only allowed to those that have dodged a bullet. There are a number of bills before the state senate that could reform the situation we have today.
I Personally believe that when more wealthy people are violated, the laws will then change in their favor, and everyone will be carrying guns. But until that day the poor people are left unprotected, and only the gangs offer protection to our youth.
Please forgive my passionate display, for I think we are at a crossroads in this foray.
Thank you and please write the democratic nominating committee for our sake,
Arthur Turner for Lieutenant Governor.