Fellow citizens,
With great honor, I stand with you in support of our freedoms and our country. Almost twenty years ago, I left Venezuela. I left everything and everyone I love; family, Olympic career, friends, education. Back then, I was surrounded by ideologically divided adults. The vast majority of them were too busy to pay attention to politics or even to vote, while flashy socialist ideas blinded the rest of them. Not even the high probability of participating at the 2004 Olympic Games stopped me from moving to the US. Leaving everything behind was the high price I paid to find freedom again.
In April 1999, an important election took place after Hugo Chavez won the presidency. Unfortunately, only 37% of registered voters cast their votes for a referendum. That was the beginning of the change of the constitution and the solidification of the socialist government’s power. Venezuela was a wealthy country; now it is a crumble of misery mixed with silenced despair. Fellow Americans, hear me well: There is no such thing as a “little bit of socialism,” or “some gun control.” The ultimate goal of those politicians who promote these ideas are a total transformation of our country as we know it, and massive gun confiscation. Invest in the future by voting for politicians, who, with actions, show they protect our freedoms.
Virginia is the perfect example of how radical the left has become. According to USA Today, Ernest McGowen, a political science professor at the University of Richmond, said in an interview that Virginians should not worry about a radical shift in policy. He was talking about Democrats regaining power in Virginia after almost 30 years. The professor said, and I quote, “they’re probably more conservative than the average Democrat in the country.” Let that sink in, “Current democrat legislators in Virginia are probably the most conservative ones?” Listen to me well. Do not pay the price I paid to regain freedom. Let’s vote them OUT!
I DO know the pain and frustration of gun violence. Family members and friends have been kidnaped, robbed at gunpoint, and killed in Venezuela. Criminals followed a cousin after he withdrew money from the bank; they stole the money and shot him inside of his car at a traffic jam. The law did not allow my cousin nor the criminals to carry firearms. Two dear female members of my family saw the front end of a gun while being robbed; one of the criminals also beat one of the women. Once again, the law prohibited them from owning guns to protect themselves. I can go on and on for hours, but the common denominator is that gun control defenseless and criminals know it! Some of us are lucky enough to tell the tale, but many others were not. Defend freedom, protect the Second Amendment!
Gun control does not deter crime because it reduces a criminal’s risk and makes their job easier. It further increases the criminal’s motivation to continue their violent acts.
Disarming law-abiding citizens is not the solution. Instead, let’s work to better our society by bring back values at home and schools. Raising strong and independent adults is a long-lasting solution to the problems we face in our communities. However, politicians always need to be reminded that “The right to own and bear arms shall not be infringed!”
Fellow Americans, let’s stay united and alert to protect and preserve our country and our freedom. I have gone through hardship in the US. I have faced debt, unemployment, divorce, all at once! Yet it is precisely the strong and effective system of this wonderful country that helped me get back on my feet. ENOUGH with downplaying the greatness of this country. I am a proud Venezuelan, but you bet I am PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! No country in the world can offer such great opportunities. You can build greatness from nothing; you can inspire others even if you don’t look like them. You can feel free to speak up to protect your rights even with broken English. Talk to your neighbors, your friends, your family, and everyone you can. Tell them to vote for freedom because the United States of America is worth it, and because the price of freedom is too high to let it slip from our hands.
Now my friends, please repeat after me: I Love the USA!
God Bless you, and God bless America!
Speech for the Arizona Second Amendment rally on February 15th, 2020
Location: Arizona State Capitol
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