When the government is dysfunctional and probably corrupt and illegitimate, addressing the need to change the Second Amendment is too hard and inconceivable. However, the circumstance underscores that this government is unable to ensure the safety and security of its citizens at home.
For young Americans who are vulnerable and without adequate protection, there is no excuse or solace in the situation. For caring parents and the majority of citizens who did not elect Donald Trump as President, there is angst and frustration.
Unfortunately, a majority of Americans elected a Republican majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, and for that, there is only remorse.
If Americans want to restore democracy to the nation, they must impeach and proceed to replace the government with more qualified and better-suited representatives.
Our enemies, led by the Russians want Americans to remain divided. They are enjoying our plight as we demonstrate an inability to control our destiny in a pluralistic society. The challenge is to prove them wrong.
As an independent analyst, I don't cut much slack for the Democrats either. When the nation's democracy is under attack and crumbling from the insurgency, I expect more courageous leadership from the opposition.
"Gun control dominates conversation as Congress returns
Congress returns this week amid intense debate over the best legislative approach to mass shootings.
Lawmakers and President Trump have proposed a number of controversial ideas, but so far only a handful of specifics."
The Hill email
Breaking Stories Image
James,
ReplyDeleteNearly two weeks ago, 17 high school students and educators were murdered because they went to school that day. My heart breaks for their parents, families and loved ones.
Despite yet another tragedy, this time in Parkland, we’re seeing the same thing from Congress that we saw after Sandy Hook, after Aurora, after Charleston, after San Bernardino, after Orlando, after Las Vegas, after Sutherland Springs: complete inaction.
If my colleagues in Congress are so beholden to the NRA, so paralyzed by its chokehold, that they will turn their backs and bury their heads once again while more children die – then this is a monumental failure in leadership.
Let me make this clear: This has nothing to do with the Second Amendment and everything to do with greed. The NRA doesn’t care about people – they care about money, and that’s it.
Enough is enough. I encourage you to speak out against the NRA. They may be powerful – but not powerful enough to withstand all of us if we unite against them. I urge you to make your voice heard and say shame on any lawmaker who won’t stand up to the NRA. Pay attention. Find out who. Vote them out this November.
I’m promising you my action, too. We’re back in session tomorrow, so I’m going to be calling on my colleagues to finally do something about this.
We need a vote.
We need to ban automatic weapons. Raising the age isn’t good enough.
We need to ban bump stocks.
We need to pass universal background checks and close the gun show loophole.
We need to make sure those with a history of violent crimes cannot get their hands on a gun.
These votes are about keeping our children safe in schools. These votes will help keep people safe on the streets of their own communities. These votes will honor the tireless work of activists who’ve been speaking out against the scourge of gun violence for years.
I came from a hunting family, and when I first came to Congress, I had an “A” rating from the NRA. But nine years ago, when I came to the Senate, I met with victims of gun violence and listened to their stories. The minute you meet a parent who’s lost a teenage child to gun violence – the minute you listen to their daughter’s high school classmates – that all changes. From that moment, and for my entire service in the Senate, I’ve proudly voted against the NRA and have had an “F” rating.
Listening makes change. Learning from others’ stories makes change. That’s why it’s so important that these courageous and heroic students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are speaking truth to power. So as I prepare to make our case to my colleagues in Congress tomorrow, I urge you to keep speaking out. Raise your voices. Call for change.
Enough is enough. Thank you for speaking up to say the same.
Kirsten Gillibrand