There are gun nuts, and then there are gun freaks. The latter describes the current Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. I’m certain that when his time in the Senate is over, (and that cannot be too son), he will join other Republicans and become a lobbyist. The owners of the GOP like to reward their sheep. McConnell’s next step will be employment by his favorite puppet master; the NRA gun lobby.
I’m not going to include the facts proving that our gun laws must be changed; I have written about them multiple times, and if you read me, you are tired of my continual telling of the facts. This is about the difference between those who today call themselves Republicans and those who actually were principled and caring members of the GOP in the past. It is also about Democrats.
As an Independent, I cannot support either part 100 percent.
That said, I find it increasingly difficult to support any of the charlatans who call themselves Republicans today.
Because today’s news is all about guns, thanks to a sit-in in the House by Senate Democrats, let’s continue the discussion, but discussion about Republican hypocrisy.
The GOP has a single “god,” and his name is Ronald Reagan. After the assassination attempt by John Hinckley, where his press secretary, Jim Brady, received a serious injury to his brain. Brady, with the aid of his wife, Sarah, introduced what became known as the “Brady Bill.” This law requires background checks and a waiting period before an individual could purchase a handgun.
President Reagan, who was not seriously injured, called on Congress to pass the bill, which finally became law on February 28, 1994. Although the gun lobby, calling themselves the NRA, opposed the Bill, the Republican leader favored the legislation.
In his final year of office, Republican President George H.W. Bush resigned from the NRA. He was angry for comments made by the anti-American president of the lobby for comments made after the Oklahoma City bombing. Wayne LaPierre, who remains in control of the criminal organization today, called federal agents “jack-booted thugs.” Here is a part of the first paragraph of that resignation letter.
“To attack Secret Service agents or A.T.F. people or any government law enforcement people as “wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms” wanting to “attack law abiding citizens” is a vicious slander on good people.”
The only purpose for the NRA is to increase the profits of gun manufacturers and gun sellers; it has nothing to do with the second amendment. The lobby is all based on falsehoods and the use of emotional warfare.
Today’s “pretend” Republicans will not allow any change to our current gun laws. They deny the right of the American people to feel safe as they live their everyday lives. The GOP opposes the most sensible provision of the proposals; comprehensive background checks for all gun purchases. They also want to continue the “rights” of suspected terrorists to legally purchase weapons of mass destruction, although they cannot fly on commercial aircraft. And they support the sale and purchase of military-style weapons without any restrictions, although these assault rifles have allowed the mass killings of dozens of our nation’s innocents.
If you owed your very existence to your local grocery store, you would never shop anywhere else. This is the situation for Republican politicians. The NRA pays them to support its owners.
I always say; follow the money. This issue should be about what is right or wrong, as claimed by the Democrats. Sadly, it is about profit before the safety of the American people.
There exist many important issues facing our next president. It now appears that guns and the acceptance or rejection of the NRA will be at the center of the election. Your choice; support a lobby, or support your fellow Americans.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey
The Truth With No Restrictions 