Want vs. Need

OK, I've worked food retail and I've worked for a housing authority. I've seen abuse in the food stamp program as well as how our government would rather give a hand out than a hand up. The real problem plaguing society is the want vs. need concept. I've never felt like I've been rich. I've never felt poor. I did grow up in a single mom household with three kids where the only source of income was a Sears cafeteria waitress job. Many people would look down on this or think we were poor, but we weren't. We didn't get everything we wanted, but we had everything we needed. We did without cable, without the latest clothes, without most luxuries. Our dinners were nutritional but rarely fancy. When we ate out, it was an event. My mom never asked for food stamps. She never asked for government assistance. Never asked for financial help. She understood that these were programs for families that, AFTER ALL OTHER OPTIONS, still needed them.

Well, Thursday I was reading an article about an arrogant, entitlement hogging woman in Ga., who feels a hard working individual owes her an apology for embarrassing her, while she was arguing the eligibility of her grocery order for food stamps. The article doesn't mention what items she was arguing over, but I can guarantee it wasn't vegetables, health food, or medicated items. The manager let her use her food stamps for the entire order, but made the comment, ‘Excuse me for working for a living and not relying on food stamps like you,’. After this Nerger stated, “I turned around and realized how many people heard him and how many saw that happened and I was so embarrassed… I started crying,”. She then... POSTED THE WHOLE STORY TO HER FACEBOOK PAGE! She also contacted the local TV station.

Wow, where do I start. First, let's talk about the manager at Krogers. His comment may be rough, but is merited. He pays for that woman's food stamps and she should kiss his ass every time she walks into that store. There is nothing wrong with taking food stamps, if you need them, but don't think the rest of us are happily forking over our earnings so our families can eat less. The problem I see with the manager is that he committed food stamp fraud, if he accepted those food stamps for non-eligible items. Sometimes it is hard to say no to an arguing customer(as Mrs. Nerger was), but if this gets investigated, Krogers should get at least fined.

Now for Mrs. Nerger, I'm not saying she has an easy life. She must devote 12 hours every night to a dialysis treatment to combat her kidney disease. Her husband is a struggling business man(carpenter) and she is a stay at home mom. By her own admission, when she gets her kidney transplant, she wants to be, “a working member of society”, She would like to attend college to major in child psychology.

Let's sum this up:

• She was arguing about food stamp eligibility of products. Something that is controlled, not by the cashier and usually not by the manager, but by the law and through corporate pricing at the register.
• She was so upset that a store manager brought her food stamp usage up that she... GOES ON THE INTERNET TO TELL THE ONLINE WORLD SHE'S ON FOODSTAMPS.
• She was still so upset about the food stamp comment that she... “CONTACTS THE LOCAL TV STATION TO TELL THE REST OF THE WORLD SHE'S ON FOODSTAMPS.
• She believes being a college student is being a working member of society.
• She obviously has the internet. Maybe if she cut that expense out and several others, I'm sure she has, I'm guessing she could feed her family.
• Amazingly, she got a lot accomplished, when motivated by the store manager. If she put this energy into say... working, she would be very successful.

With politicians and bureaucrats running our social programs, things will only get worse. A bureaucrat whose job relies on how much in food stamps he gives out or a politician that wants to BUY VOTES, give out food stamps to a lot of people(1 in 7 Americans, currently).

There was a time when the government didn't steal money from hard working people for social programs. In that time, people who truly needed a hand up, went to their local food bank, house of worship or their neighbors. People gladly provided for those families, what they NEEDED and helped them get back on their feet. People could afford to do this, because they weren't being robbed by the government to pay off an over bloated, under regulated social program system.

I know someone will argue the character of people, but let me assure you, the most evil of men are more compassionate than the kindest of bureaucrats.

Why do we need food stamps in the first place? Why can't the work be done through food banks? That way, markets and people on food stamps could not defraud the system. Our friend Mrs. Nerger would not need to argue eligibility and would not be offended, because everybody there, would be there for the same reason. In fact, they would be getting what they NEED, not what they WANT.

Creative Thursday - Depth Of Field at f14

Playing with DOF on the Beach.  Fun with distance.

Body Language... I think I'm a Gremlin.

I've been putting in long hours lately, so this morning at 3a.m. My body started having a conversation.

Stomach: GROWWWWWWWL, I'm hungry. I want to eat.

Brain : It's 3a.m. We are not eating!

Stomach: I said GROWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWL, we are not a gremlin, we can eat after midnight.

Brain: Can and should are two different things.

Stomach: GROOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLLLLL, "VALKYRIE NEEDS FOOD!!!"

Brain: Don't quote video games, your not getting any food. Last time I gave in to you, we spent 4 of my favorite sleep hours sitting on the john and contemplating the existence of god!

Eyes: Do you realize the strain I went through last time?

Stomach: Growwwwl, Do you know how much strain I'm going through now?

Eyes: Careful, everyone knows I'm bigger than you.

Stomach: GEEERRRRRRRRRROWWWWWWWLLLLLLL!!!

Brain: Stop, you'll wake the neighbors. We live in a co-op, not a bunker.

Stomach: Pppppuuuullleeeeeesz?  Things will be different this time. We have whole grain pop tarts. They are whole grain, that makes them good for us.

Brain: Now I know why your the stomach and not the brain. If I let you have one, will you shut up and stop interrupting everyone else who is trying to work?

Stomach: YES! YES! YES! Yes, I will!

Brain: OK., one Whole Grain Pop Tart.

Fast forward to 4:45a.m.

Brain: About the existence of god...

Stomach: OWWWWWWWWW, IT HURTS!

Brain: I told you this would happen.

Stomach: Why would you listen to me? I'm not the brains of the operation.

Intestines: I HATE YOU ALL!!!!!!

Outside Looking In.

Emily's Photo

Things look so different, outside looking in. The kids and I stopped by Elberon Memorial Church on our way to the beach yesterday. There were actually two reasons for this. First, it is an amazing church with some of the rarest stain glass and you could make a photo safari of just a portion of it. Second, the church is an old friend of mine, it never changes or ages in my mind and I remember it being there from the time I was a child. It is a fixed point of memory in an ever changing world.

It never changes in my mind, but visually, the church's colors have changed(woodwork has been painted a bright red, used to be green).  The structure has remained the same though(The original portion built in 1886, long before I graced this earth.). My brother's wedding was at this church, friends' weddings were at this church, I performed my first wedding service at this church and I used to drive by this church on the way home from the train station, on tough evenings, to admire it's architecture.

Emily's Photo

I digress.

Emily's Photo

On our way to the beach, I saw the church and pulled the car over. The kids and I started taking pictures immediately. Our few minutes stop became a half hour and we were still in awe of the structure and grounds. Unfortunately, the doors were locked, so we could not go in.

While taking pictures of some of the stained glass, I explained with excitement how inspirational the glass looked from the inside. The kids had never been in the church and I realized that they were less than impressed by my descriptions. As beautiful as the church was from the outside, I could see in my mind what they could not in theirs, the beauty within. We will be doing another trip to the church, when it is open.

It is simple to judge things from the outside, everything is in the open. The problem is trying to judge things from the inside, especially without truly seeing them.

It's Easier to Overlook Beauty and Continue On.

Do You See It?

I told the girls we would be going on a photo safari this weekend and asked them where they would like to go. Emily didn't care, but Lizzy wanted to go to, “The beach with the rocks on it.”. We arrived at the Allenhurst fishing access and began walking towards the beach.

To our surprise, a path had been cut into the rocks, so getting to the beach was easier. The three of us got down to the beach with little issue and began walking along the rocks, instead of the shoreline. A few steps towards the open beach and I saw something moving in the sand. It was about the size of a nickel and quickly disappeared but I knew it was still there hiding. I stopped the kids while my eyes raced across the sand, hoping to get a glimpse of the hidden treasure below. A few seconds later, the movement began again. The kids and I leaned closer to see a miniscule crab, with impressive camouflage, sitting still on the beach. Cameras poised, we took a few shots. Emily and Lizzy were amazed that I had found the hiding crab. Lizzy even asked, “How do I know that I'm not stepping on crabs while I walk down the beach?”.   I thought, we step on plenty of crabs while walking on the beach, we only get to enjoy the ones we take the time to see.

Same Picture As Above!  Cropped In To See The Crab.

Changing our path, to the shell line, we continued down the beach. As if wished into existence a sand dollar washed up several inches in front of me. As I poised, with camera, for a quick shot another wave reached out to grab the shell back.  I was too quick and snatched it from it's watery grasp. Emily was annoyed, she often says she wants to find a sand dollar but never finds one intact. I explained to Emily that it is easy to see the beach as a whole; focusing on the smaller things is infinitely more difficult.

Emily's Picture of the Sand Dollar.

No sooner did I get done speaking, when another smaller sand dollar seemed to materialize in front of me. I laughed and picked it up to show the kids. We continued down the beach taking pictures of waves, shells and rocks. As we walked back up the sandy hill to the car, I realized, it is easier to continue on as you always have done, than to change your path and see the beauty that is waiting for you. Easier, not better. 

Have You Seen The Real You In A While?

I read a lot blogs and get most of my news from the internet. I was on a friends blog a couple of weeks ago and she had the most amazing post. It was of a video from Katie Makkai during the National Poetry Slam in 2002, it is titled 'Pretty'. 

Even though some of the language could be considered questionable, I believe that this should be required watching for high school students.

Pretty

The Long Ride Home.

I left Charlotte late, I was determined not to drive straight home to NJ. I figured by forcing myself to stop for sleep, I would be well rested and definitely find a roadside attraction before my final leg of the journey. I made it to Pennsylvania, two and a half hours away from home, before calling it a night. Living in NJ, I have a stigma about hotels being so expensive. I always laugh when I stop during a road trip and realize hotels everywhere else are so reasonable.

After a good nights sleep and breakfast the next morning, I decided I would stop at Crystal Cave. It was along the way and I saw the sign for it on the way going. I really like caverns/caves and this one was, “Pennsylvania's Greatest Natural Wonder.” according to the road sign.

Well forty-five minutes and several scary back roads later, I was there. The place was really well organized and the gift shop was amazing. I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were. The man selling tickets to the cave explained that they purposely kept the prices low because it was a family friendly attraction. I wish Disney was family friendly enough to use this logic.

To get to the cave entrance, you have to climb a steep path. Once there, you meet the guide and watch a 13 minute movie about how caves are formed. It was actually, really good. So good, in fact, that I wish I had gone to this cave before I had gone to the other caves and caverns.  It would have saved me research time.

After the movie, it was time for the cave. Two couples took the tour with me and the guide was as informative as he was friendly. He was a really nice guy. In fact all of the people that worked there were extremely friendly. The tour was great and the way the path followed the cave and was not 'cut into' the cave made it more interesting than most of the other subterranean tours I've taken. This meant lots of steps and interesting footing.

Even though a lot of their attractions were closed, I really enjoyed the movie, cave and gift shop. So much so that I think I'll take the kids back there, with me, in a few weeks.

Lady Modonna.

Sorry, Only had my phone camera.

This past weekend, friends of mine wanted to go to Atlantic City. When we got there, they decided we should go see Madonna in concert. We jumped on stub hub and purchased tickets. Unfortunately the printer at the house in Atlantic City wouldn't work, so we had to pay a $10 printing fee at the box office. The lady at the box office informed us that the concert started at 8p.m., But Madonna wouldn't be playing until around 10p.m. What was the warm up, you might ask? (We did.). It was a DJ. Since when are DJ's musicians? What great skill is required to screw up someone else's song in hopes of making it sound 'tollerable'? I've seen a two year old scratch a record or even put a cd into a player. I wouldn't hire them to warm up for a musician and sure as hell would not listen to their music for two hours.

I digress.

After hanging out in the casino until 10 o'clock, I decided the show would probably be starting soon, so I headed for the theater. Let me start by saying that I am not a huge Madonna fan. I've always thought she had a great voice and loved her in Evita. When I was younger I liked her music, but her more recent stuff, not so much. Judging by the amount of middle aged, Madonna wannabes, I was not alone. Ladies, if you dressed like 80's Madonna in the eighties, you SHOULD NOT BE DRESSING LIKE 80's MADONNA 30+ years later! A lot of these women were attractive, but really? Wearing those clothes in your forties, you don't look “Like a Virgin”, you look “Like a Train Wreck.”.

Speaking of train wrecks, Madonna's first number (actually second, after a bunch of chanting) consisted of her screaming 'Bang Bang, I shot my lover dead.”, while donning a stage gun (actually various types of guns) and shooting defenseless dancers (like 50 of them) one at a time on stage. In light of recent events (and the attitude towards guns in NJ in the first place), it was not only in bad taste, but gave everyone in the theater a headache. The end of the song(after the rape scene), was Madonna yelling at a dancer, “If you're gonna act like a bitch, you're gonna die like a bitch”, and then shooting him in cold blood, center stage, while blood splashed all over the video screens. If it sounds bizarre, seeing it live was twice as bizarre, disturbing and given her political leanings, ironic. I looked at my friends and asked them if we really needed to stay, the whole time thinking, thank god I didn't bring either of the kids.

The rest of the show wasn't terrible. The stage effects and choreography were spectacular. Unfortunately for Madonna, running dancing and singing proved too much for her and the portion that suffered was the singing. I give her credit for not lip syncing but at times, I thought that she probably should have. One stand out number was with drummers 'floating' above the stage. They were drumming in perfect upright position while tethered by a loop of rope attached to their shoulders(and harness, but the effect made you think that it was just their shoulders.).

This is where I have to get back to the women dressed like 80's Madonna. Luckily, the seats we had, had no rows in front of them. The people in the seats to our right were not so lucky. Two women who were drinking beer, (one that was skinny but looked like she had a baby bump) kept walking down to the railing and dancing like maniacs(Picture Kristen Wiig dancing with a knife stuck in her back.). The people behind them could not see and were not amused. One lady went down and asked them to dance back at their seats. After asking them four times with no effect, she was visibly irritated.

Madonna looks amazing and I'm sure fans would enjoy her concert more than I, but next time around I think I'll pass. Also, if someone does go see her, explain to her that Atlantic City is in NJ, not NY.

America's Got Some Talent.

This Blog was written several weeks ago, but I am finally posting it now...

OK, I took Lizzy to see a concert, so I took Emily to a taping of America's Got Talent. We went to a pre-taping of a performance of 'Once' so we were given premium seating for Wednesday (08/29/2012) nights' show. Emily, her friend and I took the early train to Newark and grabbed a bite to eat. We then took the light rail to the Performing Arts Center. When handing in our voucher, we received third tier tickets. What third tier means is that a low flying plane may actually hit you during the show.

We got to the show early and waited an hour until they let us in. Once in, we walked up a butt-load of steps to get to our floor and eventually our seats. The MC for the evening, Tom somethingorother was humorous and kept the audience involved. Besides the promise of premiere seats from 'On Camera America' and the occasional nose bleeds, the only other issue we had with the show was the 'direction', the audience was given. With all of the stand, clap, clap with hands overhead and so on, I felt like I was a young boy at church hearing the nuns yell, “Stand! Sit! Kneel!”.

I like seeing live performances of tv shows, unfortunately it's like looking behind the curtain. Some of the magic is lost.

Asking for it.

While driving home from North Carolina, I stopped for gas. I needed a pack of gum, so I decided to go into the attached shop. An attractive young Indian woman was behind the counter. As I searched the counter for something cinnamon, she noticed my confusion and stated, “You can usually get what you want, if you just ask for it.”. I looked behind me to see if she was indeed talking to me. There was no one else there, so befuddled I asked, “Excuse me?”. She gave me a warm smile and repeated, “You can usually get what you want, if you just ask for it.”.

It was a little macabre and prophetic. I asked, “Do you have any cinnamon gum?”. She said, “Yes, there is more gum in the first aisle and I believe there is cinnamon.”. I found the cinnamon gum and returned to the counter. As she rang me up, she smiled once again and asked, “Was that so hard?”. I smiled back this time and thanked her. I wasn't just thanking her for the gum, but also the little piece of wisdom that slips through the, 'living alone cracks'. When you live by yourself, you tend to rely more on yourself. Thanks to the clerk in the gas station I'll try not to forget to ask someone for help, when I need it.

Open Road, Open Mind.

I love road trips.  Last Monday, I drove to North Carolina. Long drives are very Zen for me. Unfortunately, just like going into a pool, starting a drive is always the hardest part. Once I get on the open road, I don't want to stop driving.

The drive was long but I started early.  I drove from state to state, stopping at rest stops in each one, to stretch my legs and use the facilities.  It was the first road trip in a long time that I did not have my trusty Escape.  The Focus was amazing on gas(almost 42 mpg) and I only had to stop for one fill up along the way.  A cheaper car though, drives and feels like a cheaper car.

Dodging storms and scary truck drivers became a game.  Driving through the western half of Pennsylvania and across the edge of Maryland, I kept an eye out for stops I would want to make on the way home.  I'm that guy who goes to the roadside attractions.  When the kids are with me, I can't pass up a zoo; a cavern; the largest ball of yarn.  The candidates really started building as I passed a billboard for The World Miniature Museum.  Thoughts of a really small museum, then just a globe crossed my mind and I chuckled.

As I passed Luray Caverns in Virginia, memories of the kids and my trip to Fl. reached through time to coax a smile.  Maybe I would have to stop there on the way back I thought. I was getting tired but still had a ways to go through North Carolina. I wondered what it would be like to live in each locale as I passed.   I enjoyed the sites along the road and the puffy visions of clouds ahead.

Long distance driving is like a microcosm of life.  Scenes change with time, progress isn't always easily gauged and no matter how many times you take the same road, somehow it is different.

I reached my destination in record time and spent a very productive week with my friend and his family.

Sometimes, you need allow the scenery to go by.  Other times, you have to grab the wheel and take charge.  Either way, you miss a lot if you don't get on the road.

11 Years Gone.

On the 11^th anniversary of 9/11, I wake up with a lump in my throat. I remember the day, fresh as yesterday. I am thankful my friend and co-worker woke up late and that we were at exit twelve of the Turnpike when the North Tower was hit. I argued that it was a hell of an accident and he pulled the car hard to make the exit, explaining to me that no one accidentally hits one of the trade centers. The radio continues to tell us the South Tower was hit. My cell phone rings and it is, my now, ex-wife frantically telling me that Peter is in the North Tower. A plane hits the Pentagon. I arrive at my in-laws. Tear filled eyes watch helplessly as the South tower collapses, a plane crashes in a field in Pennsylvania and then eventually, the North Tower plummets to the ground.

Eleven years later, the numbness creeps in; then the anger. I have to wake Lizzy for school, I walk to her room, but she is already up and dressed. 9/11 is as far from her mind as Pearl Harbor is from mine. I drop her off at school and make my way back home. Passing the now closed, once secure, Fort Monmouth, I wonder how prepared we really are.

I get home, turn on the TV and watch the names of the fallen being read. The bell tolls for a moment of silence. I want to believe our world is a better place now, but know it is not. Public transit has changed forever, we traded freedom for the perception of security. Our politicians have terrorized our economy, attacking our future generations. The original Twin Towers took just four years each to build, the 'Freedom' Tower, eleven years later, is woefully incomplete.

'...Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.'
John Donne

Dude, Where's My Car?

I'm an American car buyer. I have never owned a foreign car and find them inferior to the domestic product. My only issue is the internal conflict of buying a, 'country destroying union product' vs. a right to work product. Currently, I own a Ford Escape. At least I think I do. In June, I took my Escape in for it's scheduled maintenance. The dealer explained I had a power steering hose that was going bad and an air conditioning compressor with a worn seal. They said I could skip the A.C. seal, but had to get the power steering line fixed. Well, I told them to go ahead on both. They gave me a 2010 Ford Focus loaner, for the weekend, until the Escape would be ready.

Here is where the fun began. The following Monday, I received a call from the dealer. A new power steering line could not be found and with my original one on the blink, my car was escalated to VIO(Vehicle InOperable). OK, I had a loaner, no biggy. A week went by and I called the dealer back. They escalated to Ford Motor Company. I called Ford Motor Company. Wow! Ford customer service reps. are STUPID! I'm not talking low S.A.T. score stupid, I'm talking unable to spell S.A.T.. After telling the rep the story, she asked me, not once, not twice, not three but FOUR TIMES, how I knew the hose was bad. She then insisted that the power steering hose for the Escape NEVER goes bad. After twenty minutes, on the phone, she assured me that it would be taken care of and I'd be getting a call four days later, on Thursday.

That Friday, I called Ford motor company and asked why I had not been contacted. The rep explained that the regional manager had gotten involved and should have talked to me. He then explained, that because my 2005 was such an old car, parts would be hard to come by.

Let's think about this. A part that was used until at least 2006. A 60 month loan on a car. Hmmm? If I hadn't bought the car outright, my loan would just be getting paid off and it would be old enough that, there are no parts for it? I won't even mention the fact that they are out of a part that, “Never goes bad”. Oh wait, I just did.

My dealer called a few days later and explained that the part was on 'nationwide back order'. That's code words for, “The entire network of Ford dealers and Ford Motor Company do not have that part in stock and have no idea when they are getting more in.”. They then asked me to bring the loaner back for it's scheduled maintenance.

It's now two months later. My part has been escalated to the regional VP. My Escape is late on it's state inspection. The part is slated for October release. Ford Motor Company sees no issue with this. Alan Mulally keeps claiming Ford is on the right track. Their loaner has 5500 more miles on it and will need an oil change soon.

In a way, I guess I came out ahead. I had to pay GM billions of dollars and not get a car. Ford won't take my money and I have a car to drive until I get my Escape back.

This post was written over the last month. Now It looks like October could be a pipe dream.

Defending Our Rights and the Rights of Others.

Just Plain Baaaaad!

I want to start by saying my heart goes out the family and friends of Jessica Ghawi, 24, Veronica Moser, 6, John T. Larimer, 27, Matthew McQuinn, 27, Alexander J. Boik, 18, Jesse E. Childress, Jonathan T. Blunk, 26, Rebecca Wingo, 32, Alex M. Sullivan 27, Gordon Cowden, 51, Micayla Medek, 23, Alexander Teves, 24, Ranjeet Singh, 45, Sita Singh, 41, Paramjit Kaur, 41, Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, Prakash Singh, 39, Suveg Singh Khattra, 84, Lt. Brian Murphy, 51, Steve Ercolino, Christina LoBrutto and Bryan Breen.

I was at the clinic today and overheard a couple talking about the shooting at a Pathmark store north of me in N.J. The woman then called for a crusade against gun ownership. I honestly believe the un-intelligentsia and media damage people into believing that guns are so bad. I have yet to lose an argument about gun ownership and yet, I've never owned a gun. I've fired guns at ranges before, but never felt the need to own one. Why, you may ask, do I defend others rights to own guns? Something that I own a copy of.  Something that the anti-gun people truly hate and hope to banish from the history of my great nation.  It is called The Constitution of The United States.

It is my and my fellow patriots' RIGHT TO BARE ARMS. That includes a gun, a knife, a fork, etc. Our great forefathers, who founded this country, felt strongly enough to craft this into our first laws, The Bill of Rights.

Let's do something that most anti-gun people have trouble doing. Let's think about the last few shootings logically.

An insane gunman in a Colorado movie theater:

Yes, this guy went into a movie theater with weapons and opened fire. If guns were banned before this incident, does anyone think that no one would have gotten hurt? This guy was an explosives expert. What do you think his weapon of choice would have been if not for guns?

An insane white supremacists At a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin:

This guy brought a gun inside a house of worship and opened fire killing at least 6 people.

An insane laid off clothing designer in front of the Empire State Building:

He shot his former colleague to death. Nine bystanders were hit by police fire.

An insane, disgruntled, co-worker At a Pathmark in Oldbridge, NJ:

This guy goes home, gets in camos, comes back to work after his shift and opens fire.

All of these incidences have something in common besides guns. An insane person with a motive. In these cases, if guns were not available, would they still have happened? Of course, the weapon would have changed, but the motive would have still been there.

Now that the Anti-Americans want to ban guns, let's ban all of the things that kill people.

• Obesity related disease (CDC) – Kills more people than smoking per year in the U.S.. A whopping 30 time more people than gun homicides. Of course I hate the term obesity related disease, what if they would have had the disease anyway? Also, I put obesity in with the smoking category. These things only kill the individual and not those around them. So, as long as we're playing the game, BAN FAT PEOPLE! BAN SMOKE!
• Motor Vehicles (NHTSA) – Motor vehicle accidents kill 3 times as many people as gun homicides. This doesn't take into account exhaust related illnesses. BAN LIZZY LOHAN... I mean CARS.
• Accidental Drug Overdose (CDC) - Kills almost 4 times as many people per year as gun homicides. BAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
• Alcohol Related Deaths (CDC) kills 7 times as many people per year as gun homicides. BAN ALCOHOL. Didn't we already try this one?

In fact, according to FBI statistics, the number of gun homicides is less than 12,000 per year. It's not even in the top 15 causes of death in the US. (CDC)

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Benjamin Franklin