Cannot Compare USA and Japan - A Reader's Letter

Concerning my most recent article at Lew Rockwell, "Gun Control and Japan" in which I wrote; 

"Is directly comparing Japan’s gun laws and crime rate with the USA a good and logical comparison? Does this make sense? Are the progressives bringing up a point that is difficult to argue against? Can we make an apples-to-apples comparison using Japan against the USA?

The answer is no. Unfortunately for the progressives, we can’t sensibly make that comparison and I want to show you why it’s absurd to even consider it. The only things that might make sense in a Japan versus USA comparison might have to do with economics, automobiles, love of sushi and baseball (and I’m not so sure about the baseball part). If we are talking about gun control, crimes, or even universal health care, Japan and the United States are two animals that are as different as night and day...

...I think it must be pretty obvious to anyone who thinks about it when talking about gun control and crimes (or even universal health care) comparing the United States to Japan is like comparing a steak barbecue to a slice of fish."

The response to that article was very good with only one person telling me that I am a moron (thanks dad!). But I did get one letter from a reader that really touched my heart. It struck me as a sort of whimsical (for lack of a better term) look back at a better time in America, though it is not stated so directly. In fact, this letter reflects my thinking (and chagrin) about the United States today.

Dear Mike,

As you are fully aware, it is not "fair" to compare two countries. It isn't even fair to compare two different US regions or even two US states, even when they share boarders! It isn't even an even ground when comparing a population of one state...before the devastating influx of illegals, but before that was the change in immigration policies.

What we are able to compare with just about any two countries is the government vs. the people. While culture and mindset may be different, most people groups, if left "alone," are much more interested in their family group, basic needs being met, and their culture/arts. Unfortunately, governments with power and money (debt) behind them, will not allow this to happen. The love of power and control is inherently evil.

I remember how much better life was years ago, even when the societal decent had been in motion. Our moral compass had not been totally removed. In every society since Adam, evil has been present, but at least in those years, there was still a societal veneer to cover up the ugly sewer life. Today, the veneer has been removed and people are embracing and celebrating filth and sewer scum as if it were natural and edifying.

I find it hard to believe with the influence of media upon all modern societies that the Japanese culture has not been affected by it. The changes are probably manifested differently. The US culture was probably "less restrictive" and already "under attack" than the Japanese culture in the early part of the 20th century. (Was the women's movement already underway in Japan as in the US starting with the "flapper" era?) War(s) is the quickest way to societal change. Those who "developed" the war(s) won, and those who were the patsies--all those who participated-- lost the war--no matter what the "history" books say. Society as we knew it was over, but most people didn't notice the slow decent into the abyss until now. It is probably too late. It is a very sad thing.

Mrs. R

Yes. It is a very sad thing. Too bad too few people seem to realize it... It is, indeed, far too late. 

"I remember how much better life was years ago...." Whatever happened to that wonderful place I lived in so many years ago in my youth? 

Thank you, Mrs. R. Thanks for the mail and thanks for allowing me to go back to my youth for even a few seconds.