(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Vote Against Guns [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-11-03 My signoff for anything I have written has been ‘Vote Against Guns’ for at least a year. On Tuesday, November 7, the first of those times has come for many jurisdictions. It is sexier to concentrate on the political orgasm of Presidential elections, but fundamental changes lay in the hands of local self-governing. City councils, law enforcement, judges, mayors, and governors prove the adage that all politics is local. The bully pulpit of national politics can bring extra light to an issue, but it is often dimmed by money and fear. In particular, the Republican party is in fear of its base, and judging by recent behavior, fear of a wannabe autocrat. The recent shooting massacre in Lewiston, Maine, is a prime example. National Republicans called for prayer and pure hearts. Meanwhile, Democrats were again left flailing and beating their heads against the continued misinterpretation of the Second Amendment wall. Days later, the issue again has been moved to the back burner because, in the immediate aftermath of a shooting, it is not the time to talk about the immediate aftermath of a shooting. In one of the most infamous slaughters of children in the nation’s history, Sandy Hook Elementary, the Senate failed to reinstitute the Assault Weapons band or pass a universal background check known as the Manchin-Toomey Amendment. In that darkness, a 2017 article published by ABC News online states that in the five intervening years since the 2012 Sandy Hook murders, local jurisdictions passed 210 gun safety laws. Although the slippery slope argument of gun-grabbing still holds sway with national conservative politicians—who are funded by gun pimps like the National Rifle Association—local jurisdictions that are closer to the horrors of regularly burying their children are gaining momentum. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who represents the 2nd congressional district of Maine—which includes Lewiston, with a shaky voice, recanted and apologized for his previous votes and stance supporting the ownership of assault weapons. “Sometimes things happen that bring your worst nightmares to life,” Golden said after 18 were murdered in his political backyard. The conversion of Rep. Golden is a positive step, but it is a shame it took 18 more lives for him to realize his mistake. Mike Johnson (R-LA), the recently elected and new GOP Speaker of the House, in response, said [At] “The end of the day, it’s, the problem is the human heart. It’s not guns. It’s not the weapons. At the end of the day, we have to protect the right of the citizens to protect themselves, and that’s the Second Amendment.” Perhaps the American citizenry needs to be banished to Oz, where we can gain a heart and a brain. If you listen to Conservatives—America—aside from being the most mentally ill place on earth, now lacks the heart or empathy to regulate violent tendencies. The obvious contradiction of heartless thoughts and prayers seems lost on gun toters. In a country with an estimated 400 million guns in circulation, the idea that more guns per capita will make us safer is so illogical it boggles the imagination. Either next Tuesday or early voting, make sure to… Vote Against Guns [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/3/2203393/-Vote-Against-Guns?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/