Originally Posted by
Archie Gemmill Goal
Well what are the true reasons in your opinion? What is it that is unique about the US amongst rich western democracies that means you have to go around shooting each other?
American exceptionalism. We have a culture of violence in this nation that is based in large part on that same exceptionalism that says we're better than anyone else. The myth of the "rugged individualist" who "fights his own battles" and "doesn't let government push (him) around". The extension of that is the glorification of vigilantism, where individuals consider themselves judge, jury, and executioner. "He just needed killin' yer honor," being actually accepted as a defense against murder. A "real American" doesn't depend on the government to "do what needs to be done". And what "needs to be done" is nearly always something violent, up to and including murder.
Combine that with the sort of fragile, toxic machismo culture that permeates a lot of American culture, where an insult to one's "manhood" or reputation is considered a capital crime, and you have a recipe for a whole lot of lethal violence.