It's only fair - two "modest proposals"

L’empress, who lives in Connecticut, writes eloquently today in her blog A Place of My Own, about last week's tragedy in Newtown, CT.  After reading it this morning, I heard the remarks of the head of the NRA concerning the murders.

In response to his recommendation to put an armed guard in every school in the country, John and I each have a “modest proposal”.

I think that if the NRA thinks there should be an armed guard in every school, the NRA should pay for it. Pay for all the salaries AND benefits for these full-time employees, plus their uniforms, training, guns, and ammunition. It’s only fair.

From another perspective, John suggests that the costs of these guards should be paid for by taxes on the sale of guns and ammunition. This could be something on the order of $500 on each weapon sold, plus $2 per round of ammunition - both new and resale, whether in stores, gun shows, or between private parties. Again, this would be used to pay all the expenses for the guard force. It’s only fair.

Think of all the money that is now spent on the resource officers in about 2/3 of the schools. Either of the plans would save the communities and school systems this money - money that could then be put into school facilities and maintenance, teachers, materials, etc.  It's only fair.

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Mt. Etna on a lovely clear day in Taormina, Sicily.