Even the most cynical amongst us were stunned when the U.S. Senate voted down a watered down, bipartisan, partial background check for gun purchases that's supported by some 90 percent of Americans and 74 percent of NRA members. The image of the president flanked by a grieving mother and a congresswoman who was shot in the head brought me and many others to tears.I think it was TS who brought up a good point the other day. After the election last year, many of us were saying the NRA's power is exaggerated and that they're finished as a policy-influencing organization. Now all of a sudden, we're saying the opposite.
This happened because money has near-complete control of our political system. The NRA outspent the Brady Center to Control Gun Violence by 73 to 1 last year. As Gabby Giffords said in her brilliant New York Times op-ed, senators betrayed the people because of a deep fear of the NRA unseating them from office. The NRA has that power because they have and spend real political money.
This is true. I think the explanation is simply that we were wrong before. Obama won two times in a row despite the tremendous money and effort the NRA invested. Unfortunately, on gun control we were not able to overcome.
Of course, it's not just the NRA. It's other gun-rights organizations as well as the gun manufacturers themselves. But the point is the same.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
You and the Huff'n'Puff suffer from the same delusion, namely the notion that since you believe something, anyone who doesn't must either be insane or evil. A great many of us were not stunned. We were joyously relieved. We were perhaps pleasantly surprised that enough senators did the right thing. But not stunned.
ReplyDeleteAfter the election last year, many of us were saying the NRA's power is exaggerated and that they're finished as a policy-influencing organization. Now all of a sudden, we're saying the opposite.
ReplyDeleteNothing to be surprised about. Your side being utterly, dead wrong is not a new experience for anyone.
Unfortunately, on gun control we were not able to overcome.
Sing your song, loser: "We shall undercome . . . "
I see that what Josh (what's with all the Joshes of "gun control"--Josh Sugarmann, Josh Horwitz, and now Josh Silver--is there something about that name that makes its bearer hate liberty, America, and humanity?) Silver is most directly whining about is the "money in politics" jeremiad.
ReplyDeleteInteresting timing--just as Bloomberg starts really pouring millions into forcible citizen disarmament, and Gabrielle Giffords forms a super PAC ("Give me millions to spend on the agenda of taking away whatever rights my damaged brain tells me you ought not have!"), this drone wants to "take the money out of politics."
You guys need to work on your timing some, doncha think?
Wow, no mention of how much Bloomberg just spent. And they claim money bought this issue because the Brady Campaign doesn't have any. That's deplorable reporting.
ReplyDeleteIf you guys are wrong about this, just think about how many other things you are likely wrong about.
ReplyDeleteFound a very cool article about the need to wage total war against the "gun control" lobby, and utterly destroy them outright.
ReplyDeleteThe author, if you are unaware, Mikeb (and unawareness is one of your most prominent characteristics), is an American hero who helped destroy the "Million [ha!]" Mom March, by catching them committing crimes and moral transgressions, like typical "gun control" advocates.
Pretty awesome, isn't it?