Just Like in the (Western) Movies

[placton]

In scripting the message for our side, I question why we don't simply adopt the obvious and (from our point of view) credible language of that great American art form: THE WESTERN. Most Americans buy in to at least their message (even updated to kung fu movies), even if they don't watch. Let's stroll through some of our issues, based on the Western ethos:

GUN CONTROL: what was the first sign of civilization in EVERY Western movie about "cleanin' up this here town"? Requiring the citizenry to check their guns in town. And isn't that our position: we care less that our fellows have a gun back at the ranch/trailer/house than if they have it where WE are.

ELECTIONS: are sacrosanct. Just replay the scene from THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE as an antidote for shouting down honest folk. Close the bar, elect decent people (not loudmouth Lee Marvin and the scum who are his supporters) to office. Or laugh at the people (like the character who calls Liberty Valance a victim, an early example of newspeak) who make a mockery of public discourse.

NEED TO WORK AS A COMMUNITY: HIGH NOON demonstrates why we should not be selfish, but should work together to defeat a common enemy. It's the GOP after all who wants to send Sheriff Gary Cooper alone to face - and be killed by - the bad guys, while they hide out in church.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY: building the PUBLIC school and hiring the schoolmarm (yeah, that was sexist) were the first priorities of the pioneers. Teachers were ALWAYS looked up to as one of the groups necessary for society to function. There were no charter schools or "academies" in Westerns, just good ole tax supported public schools.

UNFETTERED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE: nobody got their Blue Cross card checked before Ole Doc fixed 'em up.

GENUINE SENSE OF COMMUNITY: the public spirited citizens were never advocating eliminating public services, or dividing voters on issues. Values were public values, not some Old Testament, Calvinistic type of religion.

[TlalocW]

1. The need to overcome racism

As demonstrated in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles."

TlalocW

[tekriter]

4. "Pardon me while I whip this out..."

one of the funniest movies ever.

[rockymountaindem]

2. Coalition building...

rarely does the sheriff ride into the wilderness to capture the cattle rustlers without first getting the posse together.

[villager]

3. and never trust the word of "The Railroads"

i.e., the corporations, as per "The Wild Bunch"