Man: I'm in favor of doing background checks...
Man: To prevent courageous moderate Republicans from infiltrating the GOP!
NRA's Most Wanted
Pat Toomey
First off, be advised I am all for replicating California’s very restrictive background check laws on a federal level. BUT, Mikefive posted an interesting comment about this bill that I totally agree with. This bill was 45 pages (or so) for a supposedly simple banning of private sales at gun shows and a few other public venues. Instead of just putting this into a 2 page document the politicians had to load it up with other conditions and confusing language that did nothing but clutter up an otherwise useful document and conceivably could have gathered more support.
Many have also complained that the bill could have passed with a simple majority (which it had), except then it would be subject to filibustering. My understanding of this was Harry Reid knew this and required the 60 votes under the “cloture” rules to avoid a filibuster. Welcome to the convoluted rules of governing.
When you get a “gang of eight senators” together, 45 pages is truly a short bill. Look what happened to the Affordable Care Act as the Republicans and health insurance companies got their concerns addressed! Also keep in mind that most of the suggested “amendments” to the bill read along the lines of “take out everything in the bill, and put this in instead” and it’s no surprise that there’s a page count. But the content and purpose of the bill, watered down as it was, was positive, and would have prevented deaths.
GOP hasn’t had a real moderate in years. They have gone past being conservatives, they are now ALL extremists who want to take away civil liberties, what you do with a woman’s body, want the patriot act fortified, and do all this stuff the Government should have any say in. If we are not careful, there will be a National religion, no public schools, no safety net for the poor, the old, the crippled, or even veterans. Clearly they are trying to have one political party. called THE Party, AKA GOP.
Well, I’m strongly considering dropping my life membership, so there will probably be one less. The embarrassment has just become more than I can bear.
Mickey 13 almost 11 years ago
First off, be advised I am all for replicating California’s very restrictive background check laws on a federal level. BUT, Mikefive posted an interesting comment about this bill that I totally agree with. This bill was 45 pages (or so) for a supposedly simple banning of private sales at gun shows and a few other public venues. Instead of just putting this into a 2 page document the politicians had to load it up with other conditions and confusing language that did nothing but clutter up an otherwise useful document and conceivably could have gathered more support.
Many have also complained that the bill could have passed with a simple majority (which it had), except then it would be subject to filibustering. My understanding of this was Harry Reid knew this and required the 60 votes under the “cloture” rules to avoid a filibuster. Welcome to the convoluted rules of governing.
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/filibuster.htm
ARodney almost 11 years ago
When you get a “gang of eight senators” together, 45 pages is truly a short bill. Look what happened to the Affordable Care Act as the Republicans and health insurance companies got their concerns addressed! Also keep in mind that most of the suggested “amendments” to the bill read along the lines of “take out everything in the bill, and put this in instead” and it’s no surprise that there’s a page count. But the content and purpose of the bill, watered down as it was, was positive, and would have prevented deaths.
pam Miner almost 11 years ago
GOP hasn’t had a real moderate in years. They have gone past being conservatives, they are now ALL extremists who want to take away civil liberties, what you do with a woman’s body, want the patriot act fortified, and do all this stuff the Government should have any say in. If we are not careful, there will be a National religion, no public schools, no safety net for the poor, the old, the crippled, or even veterans. Clearly they are trying to have one political party. called THE Party, AKA GOP.
amorris almost 11 years ago
Well, I’m strongly considering dropping my life membership, so there will probably be one less. The embarrassment has just become more than I can bear.