I vaguely recall the congressional battles over Medicare in, I believe, the Fifties and Sixties. It was defeated year after year, but proponents kept coming back until attitudes changed and Congress passed enabling legislation. Those who oppose gambling, guns, tobacco, or the death penalty will keep coming back until they win. The National Rifle Association says the real intent of the gun control lobbyists is to eliminate all guns from society. They probably are correct, but they are fighting alosing battle.
Social changes occur slowly.
But as long as many of us fear for our safety, we will own guns. As long as retribution is acceptable or we fear putting murderers back into society because we don't believe those who say lock them up and throw away the key, we will support the death penalty. Tobacco is losing its hold on Americans because of 40 years of opposition and the understanding that it can be harmful. Support for gambling venues is on the rise in this state, where it existed only in seniors or church bingo parlors, among sports fans, or on the golf course. Today's lotteries, gambling boats and video games merely provide what many Americans have long desired.