I love the USA. And I'll state up front that I'm not into conspiracy theories, and I don't wear or need a tinfoil hat. Politically speaking, I'm a moderate conservative on most issues. I've voted for republicans, democrats, and third-party candidates. I did not vote for President Obama, but I wish him well. I'm not impressed with most of his decisions so far, but I realize it's rather early in his presidency to take the full measure of the man. I can only hope that he will listen to the American public and act accordingly.

I seem to be in the minority in the Deep South, however. My husband tells me many of his co-workers are already fed up with our present government. They don't want to give Mr. Obama more time. Many of these guys are really angry, and the scary part is that many of them are heavily armed. Most folks down here are. I've heard from numerous sources that there is no 00 buckshot to be found in our area. The stores can't keep it on the shelves. I'll just have to accept this as true, I guess. I haven't tried to purchase any. I do know it's a fact that firearm sales have skyrocketed, and I don't think it's due to a big surge in hunting.

All this bothered me a little, but then I thought maybe it was just isolated to "good ol' Georgia boys." On a recent trip to Florida, however, I realized the anger and frustration were more widespread. I spent a lot of time on a fishing pier, and there were anglers there from several states. Know what I kept hearing? Angry tirades about the government and the growth of Big Brother. Just like the men in my region, many of these guys on the pier said they were "buying up" guns and ammo to add to their already substantial arsenals.

This is scary to me. I don't want Americans spilling the blood of other Americans. There has to be a better way. Think what this would do to our nation. Martial law would be enacted, and this wouldn't be good for anyone. If people want to change the present situation, they need to do it with peaceful protests and in the voting booth. Calmer heads need to prevail.

For most of you living in big cities, especially in the North, you might think I'm overreacting. But remember that you're far removed from the situation. I would venture to estimate that 90% of the households here in the South own shotguns, rifles, or pistols, or all of these. I've heard fellow southerners say that if the nation were to shut down, we would survive. We have a long growing season and lots of crops, along with numerous edible species of mammals, birds, and fish. While all that's true, I sure would miss MacDonald's and my diet Hawaiian punch from Walmart.

Don't get me wrong. I strongly favor gun ownership and am a supporter of the Second Amendment. I was an avid hunter when I was younger. But have we really reached the point where normal, everyday citizens should be whispering about a revolution? I hope these guys are just blowing off steam.