There is no short answer to the question — one which is asked by almost every gun control advocate in the U.S.

Having observed the failure of our education system by dumbing-down our children for the past 50 years, concern has to be expressed about the “new” Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI).

The gentleman produced a well-written, cogent commentary (“Can anyone seriously argue that the Iraq War was truly justified?” AFN, March 27) on the wisdom of the Iraq War. However, isn’t the Iraq War old news? Unless, perhaps, one wants to review the Iraqi constitution, which is a perfect example of a theocratic state. That constitution specifically says Islam is the national religion. Somewhat contrary to our Constitution, which supports religious freedom. How is it possible to have a free democracy when the government tells you who to worship as your spiritual savior?

As we survey the panoply of absurd ideas our legislators, both state and national, face from special interest groups these days, we have to wonder what has become of that rare commodity: common sense.

After attending a political meeting the other night, I’m convinced some people have forgotten what our great nation is all about. Have we forgotten “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?” Once upon a time, those God-given rights were the reality of life for this free nation.

The tale of two Americas. We have the America which is comfortable with the collective government control of production through socialism or communism, plus all of the misery which goes with collectivism. On the other hand, we have the America which wants liberty for the individual to control the means of production and all of the benefits which derive from the spirit of the free man.

Folks, we have a really serious problem. The Communist Party USA heartily supports Obama’s gun control plans.

As we start 2013, let’s reflect on the beginning of our nation and the moral and religious beliefs of the Pilgrim settlers of 1620. The Pilgrims were Puritans, a group of English Protestants who had become unhappy with the corruption in the Church of England and the English laws which controlled the practice of religion. At that time (1620), other religions weren’t represented. There were no Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jews, or Muslims. Only Christians who wanted freedom of religion. Not freedom from religion, but freedom of religion.

Few of you know about this new government takeover of our education system. It’s being touted as the greatest thing since The Bill of Rights. As Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education said, this is “absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lift American education to a new level—and make us more competitive in the global economy.”

You can’t fix stupid, but you can fix ignorant or, perhaps, political insanity.