The too-perfect-to-believe photo captured with Trump’s bloodied face and determined fire  will likely grace every bit of merch you can imagine. Credit AP Evan Vucci

As conspiracy theories of what happened at the Pennsylvania rally fly faster than the bullets that whizzed by Trump grazing his ear,  one thing is absolutely clear. We have a gun problem in this country

The biggest surprise is that there is any surprise that this could happen

In Donald Trump’s first statement on Truth Social after the shooting, he wrote :

It is incredible such an act can take place in our country.

What is incredible is the pseudo-sudden shock from some that this could occur in America.

As if gun violence is such a rarity in our country.

What is happening to our country has been happening daily. Ask your frightened middle school kid traumatized by lockdown drills. Or a shopper going into a mall and looking over your shoulder for a possible shooter.

Active shooter is a way of life in America.

This year alone, from January to June, 8,539 people were killed with another 16,192 were wounded by guns.  So maybe we have a gun problem?

The GOP votes against every single gun control measure.

I’m voting for the party that wants to prevent gun violence.

Sadly instead of galvanizing some action for gun control, this incident will only further galvanize his base- and Trump will stoke it for every penny and demand we demand we ratchet our discourse down while they ratchet theirs up.

This incident feels like a taste of what’s to come if Trump regains the presidency. Chaos, violence, dangerous rhetoric, and an excuse to squash dissent and protest.

Trump’s ear will heal, our democracy will not if he gets re-elected.

The too perfect to believe  photo captured with Trumps bloodied face and determined fire  will likely grace every bit of merch you can imagine. Credit AP Evan Vucci