Have we lost our minds?

I get frustrated with the utter absurdity of government and societal actions to the point where I need to blow off some steam. This is writing allows me to do so.

If you are offended by anything I say here, too bad. I am an equal opportunity offender, and I rarely apologize for my opinions, only if I get a fact wrong.

The government wants to ban stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines with more than ten rounds, and enter every gun owner into a national registry aka universal background check, but gives 20 F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt. Do you really trust the federal government to not keep a permanent record of anyone who might apply for a comprehensive background check?

Hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government intrusion, while not working is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid, subsidized housing, and more. Everyone needs a helping hand occasionally, but too many now make government aid their chosen career.

You have to show identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, check out a library book, or go on a White House tour (more on this later) but not to vote on who runs the government. You can also be arrested and possibly go to jail for hunting or fishing without a license or shooting a deer out of season, but not for being in the country illegally.

White House tours at $72,000 per week are now closed to the public (I thought the White House belonged to us) due to budget cuts but Obama and family can take constant vacations costing several million dollars each. Lawmakers make lengthy, contradictory and onerous laws for us but exempt themselves from said laws.

You have to get your parents’ permission to go on a field trip or take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion. Speaking of abortion ... liberals defend abortion but decry the death penalty, often receiving tax dollars to do both. I guess if your crime is heinous enough a liberal will defend you, but if you are defenseless, too bad.

In New York City, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas but not a 24-ounce soda because 24 ounces of a sugary drink in one serving might make you fat. I forgot, that only applies to the Mom and Pop stores, not 7-11 or Starbucks. Oh, and don’t forget to take your own salt shaker if you like salty foods.

A third grade boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher is “cute” and a first grader is expelled for nibbling a breakfast bun into something vaguely resembling a pistol, but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable.

Our government passes onerous laws to make banks “behave” but believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more.

If a college professor desecrates a Christian symbol, he gets tenure. If a Muslim symbol is even discussed negatively, bodyguards are assigned.

We have to “preserve” areas for wilderness for future generations to enjoy, but we can’t go see them unless we are Harry Reid in a government helicopter or physically able to walk for miles.

Global warming concerns are now waning since the warming trend of a decimal of a degree per decade seems to be stabilizing. Not so long ago global cooling was the big worry. Renaming as “climate change” should cover the entire scam.

Health care was supposed to cost less if the government managed it, but now far more people are priced out of the system than didn’t have coverage to begin with. IRS will go after a business tooth and nail for the slightest error but give thousands of government workers a pass on unpaid taxes.

Gay marriage is a right but arming to defend yourself is a crime. Likewise, marriage is considered a contract but gay marriage now seems to be a right

The government spends $1 trillion more than it brings in but “We don’t have a spending problem.” That is like (dropping a few zeros) making $35,000 per year but spending $45,000.

A Republican, especially a conservative one, will be chastised for the most benign “offense,” but liberal Democrats get a complete pass for tax evasion, bribery or worse.

Finally, liberals preach tolerance but can’t seem to tolerate opposing views Has this country lost its mind or just its direction?

Tom Riggins’ column appears every other Friday in Perspective.