What a sad day Wednesday was for American democracy. In a 54-46 vote, the bill to extend background checks to private sales and gun shows failed. It was six votes short. Even with a majority in the Senate, it didn’t pass the 60 votes necessary, which is a whole other issue. Wednesday, we saw money triumph over all. As President Barack Obama said in his speech following the failure to pass the bill, 90 percent of Americans were for this common-sense law. Why? Because it’s common sense! It in no way infringes on our Second Amendment rights and 90 percent of America knew that, even some proud National Rifle Association households. Our democracy—or representative republic—whatever you want to call it, is supposed to be representative of the people and it failed us Wednesday. You would think after the bombing that occurred in Boston, seeing so many Americans suffer and grieve again, love could triumph over money. You would think seeing people come together in a time of tragedy, you would think, would show the Senate that America isn’t about money. No, the majority of us have our heads and hearts in the right places. Humanity could triumph over money. Well, say good-bye to that, because we just got completely screwed over. I feel like I just stepped into a time machine to an old familiar time when America was run only by the rich, white men. Oh, wait. Nope, I’m still here. We’re still here. And that’s troubling.
I’m floored, upset, confused, angry, hurt, offended and downright disgusted this bill wasn’t passed—and I’m not even one of the victims of gun violence. I’m not even one of the mothers who lost her child in the Newtown massacre. So, imagine how those parents feel. Imagine how they felt as they stood there and watched the senators reject this common-sense bill. Here’s my question, which I’m sure is on many people’s minds: What were you thinking, senators? Where are your hearts? People who don’t have a heart usually, at least, pretend to have one. You just really screwed yourself over because now I’m angry. America is angry. When I say America, I mean 90 percent of us are pissed. Including Obama.
So here’s what happened Wednesday. The gun lobby won over 46 senators with, yep, you guessed it, money! They said passing this law would lead to a slippery slope, ending up with a national gun registry, which is simply not true. They used scare tactics and 46 senators believed them. Hey, you, 90 percent of Americans, guess who matters more? Not you, not your children, not your safety, but money! Money from an interest group matters more. Although this kind of sneaky, slimy, disgusting form of politics has probably been going on behind the scenes for quite some time, we just reached a new low because they did it in front of our faces! How insulting!
This is a turning point for our country. Our system has failed us to a whole new level. And here I thought the tremendous, bipartisan leap taken by bill co-writers Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey would have passed and lead us in the right direction. Both of them were gun owners, both had grade-A ratings from the NRA and both proudly backed Second Amendment rights. They constructed a plan that would not infringe upon these rights! They constructed a plan that should have been a part of the gun-obtaining process all along so criminals and the mentally unstable would be unable to obtain a gun. Twenty first graders being murdered was not enough to triumph over money, and I have completely lost hope in our system. It’s money and greed, and it just took precedent over our kids, our loved ones, our compassion, and our safety in this country.
The senators denying the bill had no good reason to do so. They knew it wouldn’t infringe upon any rights and knew it was common sense to pass this universal background check. The only semi-sufficient argument they had was that it wouldn’t prevent all massacres. Nice try, but that’s a fallacious argument. No, it wouldn’t prevent all, but if at least it would have saved one life, then it would have been worth it. But they were worried they wouldn’t get elected in the future because the gun lobby would do everything in their power to present them as anti-Second Amendment. They just got played. We all just got played. And I am extremely insulted by the Senate; they thought they could get away with it. I am extremely insulted they think 90 percent of Americans are going to let this one slide. We’re not.
“But this effort is not over.” Obama said nearing the end of his speech. “I want to make it clear to the American people we can still bring about meaningful changes that reduce gun violence, so long as the American people don’t give up on it. Even without Congress, my administration will keep doing everything it can to protect more of our communities. We’re going to address the barriers that prevent states from participating in the existing background check system. We’re going to give law enforcement more information about lost and stolen guns so it can do its job. We’re going to help to put in place emergency plans to protect our children in their schools.”
No this isn’t over. In fact, I think it’s the beginning. I think it’s the beginning of a wake-up call in which we realize it’s time for some serious changes relating to our legislative process. Not just regarding gun legislation, but regarding campaign financing as well. An interest group should not and better not be able to stand up to 90 percent of Americans and insult them again. They better not be able to stand up to gun-violence victims and tell them their children aren’t worth it ever again. It needs to be put in the hands of the citizens who want their fair representation now. If you are as insulted as I am, I strongly encourage you to write your senator and tell him/her. For many of you that will be Ron Johnson, who voted against this bill and perhaps, if you have time, you could thank Tammy Baldwin, who voted in favor of the bill, for listening to the voice of the people.
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