"Why the NRA Gets Its Way"

I thought this [slate.com] was a more interesting analysis of the situation.

Still an anti-gun analysis overall, but goes beyond the usual "the NRA is too powerful!!" hype.
 
I thought this [slate.com] was a more interesting analysis of the situation.

Still an anti-gun analysis overall, but goes beyond the usual "the NRA is too powerful!!" hype.
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they at least got one thing right on the money:

The final point is about passion. Gun-owning in America is a way of life. Gun control is just a political opinion.
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yeah that was a much better article.. rather thoughtful, even though obviously the person was fairly anti-gun.
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Yeah, it was an obvious anti-gun piece...but still interesting overall.

Two parts I found interesting:

Republicans also have a leg up on both abortion and guns because rural America, where their positions are most popular, has disproportionate power under the Constitution. Thinly populated Western states, where guns are loved, have the same two votes in the Senate as big Northern states, where guns are more often feared.
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Bugs me to no end on a majority of issues, but I suppose my gun rights hve definitely benefitted.

Within states, cities are similarly disadvantaged by bicameral legislatures. The anti-majoritarian features of our republican system give conservatives strength beyond their numbers and insulate them from long-standing declines in both rural population and gun ownership.
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O rly? Somebody's never been to Illinois.
 
hinly populated Western states, where guns are loved, have the same two votes in the Senate as big Northern states, where guns are more often feared.
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Methinks someone was asleep during U.S. government class.
 
The anti-majoritarian features of our republican system give conservatives strength beyond their numbers and insulate them from long-standing declines in both rural population and gun ownership.
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I don't think it has occured to them yet that many libs think along the same lines as many conservatives on gun ownership rights.
 
I just rejoined after a lapse of maybe 2 years because I was so irritated with them calling me for a donation so often.
 
I sure liked Alccee L. Hastings quote.
"We are captives, the majority here, of the NRA. To hell with the NRA! What about the society? I don't get it."
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At least she is honest about what anti-gunners don`t understand. " I don`t get it!":D
 
Thinly populated Western states, where guns are loved, have the same two votes in the Senate as big Northern states, where guns are more often feared.
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Methinks someone was asleep during U.S. government class
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Why? Because this isn't true?

Gun control (at the federal level) is an action that must be taken; the default state for guns is pretty much unregulated. Which means that if you can't get it through both houses of Congress, it doesn't get passed. And in one of those houses, Montana (with less than a million people) has the same representation as California (with 50+ million people).

There's a reason that the Democrats only have a 1-vote majority in the Senate (counting independents) and a 30+ majority in the House. There's also a reason that many people believe that only a "southern" Democrat has much chance of winning the Presidency. And there's a reason that (hopefully) knee-jerk gun control generally won't get passed even when a majority of people favor it.

I don't think it has occured to them yet that many libs think along the same lines as many conservatives on gun ownership rights.
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Ownership in general, maybe. But I think you may be surprised (but hopefully not) how many favor measures that you and I don't...things like mandatory registration, waiting periods, magazine capacity limits, etc.
 
At least she is honest about what anti-gunners don`t understand. " I don`t get it!"
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You also don't get that "she" is a "he". Also is one of the few Federal Judges impeached and removed from office. About the same character as Marion Berry. You do know who she is, I trust. ;)
 
I don't agree with a lot of the NRA tactics, but I finally joined this year. Rosie, the Brady bunch and the Oprah crowd convinced me that the time to join was now. I will support the NRA for the rest of my life.
 
Why? Because this isn't true?
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Because the founders (Madison, I believe) specifically created a "bicameral legislature" for the sole purpose of giving little states a voice, or preventing big states/ tyranny of the majority from having too much sway.

And here the author is complaining about that.

Next thing you know, the author might start complaining about how this country gives stupid people the same equal voting rights as smart people.
 
Because the founders (Madison, I believe) specifically created a "bicameral legislature" for the sole purpose of giving little states a voice, or preventing big states/ tyranny of the majority from having too much sway.
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True. I'm not saying it wasn't the purpose of the system, just that the system does have this effect. And I don't think it's always a positive thing. EDIT: I also think it made more sense when there were less states.
 
Imagine if anti gun states like new york and california really get their way and have voting priveledges by populations size. Then everyone here will be real sore if they come from gun-toting yokel states like Montana. Preventing the tyranny of the majority.

Given that the constitution has articles defining how to add more states to the Union, I'm sure the founders did imagine a scenario with more than 13 ex-colonies.
 
NRA forever!

Due to Rosie, Nancy, Ted, Kerry, Penn, Schumer, Corzine, and other gun banners, I will never vote for any candidate that the NRA does not recommend. Low NRA rating? No vote.
 
I am the NRA. Voting as one solid bloc is the way to go. Sure, they're not perfect, but they are a HECKUVA lot better than anything else. I carry their recommendations with me to the ballot box and I vote accordingly. The 2nd protects the 1st, 3rd, 4th.....

I also write a buttload of letters and send more emails than anyone I know on every issue I consider important. I bet my reps wish I would roll over and die. Too bad... I WON'T! :D
 
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