But we need to vote in different Republicans, or third party candidates that will improve the situation.  If we merely vote out the Republicans and vote in the Democrats again, we will be even worse off.

I'm not sure whether you are saying that *I* think that or someone else (missing pronoun in your sentence). I don't actually think that. Tighter restrictions on gun ownership will probably have close to zero effect on violent crime by gangs and predatory criminals. I do think that making it easier for people in large cities to buy guns will probably lead to higher levels of domestic violence, perhaps vigilantism as well. Pack enough people close together in tight quarters and stress levels rise, it is human nature. Stress leads to disputes, and if the most convenient way to resolve a dispute is with a gun, some people are going to reach for the gun. It's hard to argue with that logic.

Where stress levels are low enough that such incidents are rare (such as here in VT), taking guns from honest people would solve absolutely nothing. That's why I tend to think gun laws should be a local matter, despite the 2nd amendment. But my mind is still open on the subject.

I'm not convinced that is still true.  It used to be, but I think society succeeded beyond expectations in convincing girls that fat is ok.  Have you looked at a high school yearbook lately?  I saw one recently and compared it to my 1968 yearbook.  I would say the average body condition score has increased by at least 50% or more; especially among young women.  Young women used to care about what they looked like.  Now they are more interested in eating like boys.

Why is it so hard to imagine.  Even in this country, the press has half the country believing in the superiority of socialism.

Why would the "Russians" want pro-military growth capitalist pig Trump to win vs fellow travelers Clinton and Bernie?