· NRA to America: Nice little country you have here ...be a shame if anything happened to it

[kpete]

Nice little country you have here ...

by digby

... be a shame if anything happened to it.

From Reid Cherlin at GQ:

"We Do Absolutely Anything They Ask"
How the NRA's Grading System Keeps Congress on Lockdown
BY REID CHERLIN



I asked a Democratic legislative staffer for a first-person description of the NRA's power on the Hill. Here's the response I got, on the condition that I not provide any further identifying information. It's pretty breathtaking.

We do absolutely anything they ask and we NEVER cross them—which includes asking permission to cosponsor any bills endorsed by the Humane Society (the answer is usually no) and complying with their demand to oppose the DISCLOSE Act, neither of which have anything to do with guns. They've completely shut down the debate over gun control. It's really incredible. I'm not sure when we decided that a Democrat in a marginal district who loses his A rating from the NRA automatically loses reelection. Because it's not like we do everything other partisan organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or NAM National Association of Manufacturers tell us to...

Pandering to the NRA is the probably worst part of my job. I can justify the rest of it—not just to keep the seat, but because I believe most of the positions he takes are consistent with what his constituents want. But sucking up to the NRA when something like Colorado happens is hard to stomach.

MORE:
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/blogs/death-race/2012/07/nra-grades-and-congress.html
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/nra-to-america-nice-little-country-you.html

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Like two goons three times bigger than you ,

nudging your brain not to feel too safe or give you a superiority entitlement that makes you think your part of the old west or South Africa .

[madinmaryland]

3. FUCK THE NRA. nt

[Wolf Frankula]

9. Hear Hear!

Fuck the National Gun Nut Association. And I speak as a life long gun owner.

Wolf

[xtraxritical]

14. NRA =

Nut job RepubliCON Assholes

[baldguy]

4. Where's Spiny Norman when you need 'im?

[progressoid]

5. Grrr.

[KG]

6. NRA wants to promote guns sales. they don't give a fuck who ends up with them...

[Brickbat]

7. Name them and shame them. This shit isn't a surprise any more.

Name the bastards. Although it wouldn't make a difference -- they're all dirty in some way or another.

[hack89]

11. Politicians have no shame. nt

[patrice]

8. If the purpose of our guns is to authentically protect freedom . . .

(and I DO consider that a definite IF), why would that freedom extend only to those who conform to the politically correct position that everyone, regardless of who they are and what weapons they possess, exhibits the level of skill, personal responsibility, and respect for the rights of others that actually serve that purpose, rather than actually resulting in new forms of oppression, such as the fear of going to a public place?

[Randomthought]

10. A little spine, please.

I know my former Congressman (Sabo 5th district Mn) did not accept donations from the NRA and I would suspect my current Congressman doesn't either. Just say no! And send back the check.

[longship]

12. Nice work, boys! nt

[-..__...]

13. So... now I'm wondering...

what's the beef with the NRA?

Is it just the power/influence that the NRA holds that pisses off many here?

Is it what they represent/defend?

Or is it a combination of both?

What if a LGBT or womens rights group wielded the same exact power and influence WRT to their purpose?

Would the outrage that one group (regardless of it's purpose), that held so much sway and power over Congress be the same?

I recall reading an article from many years ago about Barney Frank addressing a group of college students.

I forget what the exact question was, but it involved lobbying and influence in the Capitol.

Barney responded by explaining the ability and skill of the NRA to achieve its goals.

He was repulsed by their purpose... but he was awestruck and admiring of how the NRA got to where it is.

So... is it the purpose, or power of the NRA that angers people most here?

[xtraxritical]

15. Many industries lobby just as effectively (oil) but their products are not noted in the Constitution

The "right to bear arms" is where NRA hangs it's hat. The NRA will never, ever mention the "by a well regulated militia" part. They get away with it because of American's historical love affair with guns. The sophistry is equating guns with freedom. Anyhow, vote a straight Democratic ballot and maybe some gun sanity can be restored.

[mjberglin]

16. Wayne LaPierre and the NRA

Wayne LaPierre says: “the guys with the guns make the rules.” – He’s going to run my life? Isn’t that denying me of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?. Wayne says we need guns to protect us from tyrants and tyrannical governments, but, isn’t that exactly what he is creating?

Isn't "the guys with the guns make the rules.” a subtle Al Capone style threat to our well being?

[joeybee12]

17. KNR...sums it up nicely.