WAPO OP ED: Our gun epidemic is a symptom of our broken democracy J. Rubin

[lindysalsagal]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/05/25/our-gun-epidemic-is-symptom-our-broken-democracy/

Opinion Our gun epidemic is a symptom of our broken democracy

By Jennifer Rubin

May 25, 2022 at 7:45 a.m. EDT

Again, we face a preventable tragedy for which a possible solution was rendered impossible not by a lack of democratic will but by the confluence of two factors: An extreme, irrational party that has rejected democratic principles, and a constitutional structure that is ill-equipped to deal with it.

The sole reason there has been no meaningful gun-control legislation following the shootings at schools in Parkland, Fla., or Newtown, Conn., is the GOP’s adamant refusal to cross the gun lobby and its extremist base. Already awash with guns, the country has instead witnessed a further relaxation of reasonable gun restrictions. Age limits have been lowered. Gun licensing requirements have been repealed. Gun owners have been allowed to carry concealed weapons.

And here is where our constitutional checkmate works against even the widest democratic consensus imaginable: The Constitution allocates two states to the most sparsely populated red states (but none to the District of Columbia), and the filibuster provides gun absolutists with a veto over reforms.

If the Democratic Party — the only party that still supports democratic values and at least tries to solve problems — can muster the discipline and the will, it can run in 2022 and 2024 on ending the stranglehold of unhinged, minority rule. It must electrify its supporters, pledge to tame if not eliminate the filibuster and make clear that, without Democratic victories, we would face an America few would hope to bequeath their children. The Republican obsession with controlling women, unlimited gun ownership, white grievance and other deadly ideologies must be identified, denounced and defeated. Democrats should be clear about the choices: white nationalism or tolerance; gun massacres or reasonable gun restrictions; control of women’s bodies or respect for women’s autonomy.

[2naSalit]

1. K&R

[Irish_Dem]

2. The GOP is deliberately breaking the back of America.

Just like Putin is doing to Ukraine.

It is about power, control, wealth. And a big dose of sadism.

[Mme. Defarge]

3. "The constitution is not a suicide pact."

Thanks for posting this.

[tanyev]

4. There's a reason Russia chose the NRA as a stalking horse.

[uponit7771]

5. THIS !!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾