Editorial: Example of a dead issue

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 11, 2007

&8220;Dead issue&8221; is a term used in political science. Typically, dead issues are ones that get people riled up but go nowhere. In spite of the all the political positioning and banter, nothing or else very little ever happens.

Gun control is a prime example.

In the course of less than a week, the United States experienced shootings in Nebraska and Colorado.

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Now watch what happens. Americans, their media and their politicians will have a short debate about guns. It will be good to know the views of the candidates on the issue. Go ahead and listen, but don&8217;t vote based on what they say because, really, nothing will come of it.

Gun control laws one, five or 10 years from now pretty much will be the same as today. People who want to shoot up a place will still be able to do so.

Now take another issue. Let&8217;s pick health care. That&8217;s a live issue. Five or 10 years from now health care, its laws and its funding stand a very good chance of being much different than today.

Going into any political season, it&8217;s good to be a savvy voter. It&8217;s good to recognize dead and live issues.