My
first article for Townhall.com targeted left-wing online magazine Slate for dressing up Election 2014 Republican
wins as subtle left-wing victories. While the column claimed that Republicans
had adopted liberal views on key issues, the fact is that many Republicans,
whether winning federal or state office, pointed out (effectively) that liberal,
Democratic, “progressive” politicians and their policies were not just creating
but exacerbating the problems of wage inequality, overregulation for the
benefit of the few at the expense of the rest of us, and the prosperity of Big
Labor, Business, and other special interests against the General Welfare, Main
Street, and the Little Guy.
first article for Townhall.com targeted left-wing online magazine Slate for dressing up Election 2014 Republican
wins as subtle left-wing victories. While the column claimed that Republicans
had adopted liberal views on key issues, the fact is that many Republicans,
whether winning federal or state office, pointed out (effectively) that liberal,
Democratic, “progressive” politicians and their policies were not just creating
but exacerbating the problems of wage inequality, overregulation for the
benefit of the few at the expense of the rest of us, and the prosperity of Big
Labor, Business, and other special interests against the General Welfare, Main
Street, and the Little Guy.
![]("http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Slate_logo.png"){kind=logo} |
| Slate Magazine Logo |
This past week, Slate
Magazine published another intriguing attack, but this time against the
left-wing Grandfather wowing crowds and wooing Hillary supporters: Democratic
socialist Bernie Sanders. An anti-capital populist who decries the Koch
Brothers, hates big money in politics (even though he raised $1 million in the
first twenty-four hours of his campaign), Sanders wants Social Security and
Medicare for everyone. He wants to break up Big Banks and end business as usual
in Washington aiding Big Business. And he is a staunch supporter of the Second
Amendment. This revelation triggered my interest. A left-wing candidate with a
right-wing voting record?
Magazine published another intriguing attack, but this time against the
left-wing Grandfather wowing crowds and wooing Hillary supporters: Democratic
socialist Bernie Sanders. An anti-capital populist who decries the Koch
Brothers, hates big money in politics (even though he raised $1 million in the
first twenty-four hours of his campaign), Sanders wants Social Security and
Medicare for everyone. He wants to break up Big Banks and end business as usual
in Washington aiding Big Business. And he is a staunch supporter of the Second
Amendment. This revelation triggered my interest. A left-wing candidate with a
right-wing voting record?
Slate
contributor
Mark Joseph Stern reports:
contributor
Mark Joseph Stern reports:
Sanders, an economic populist and middle-class pugilist, doesn’t
talk much about guns on the campaign trail. But his voting record paints the
picture of a legislator who is both skeptical of gun control and invested in
the interests of gun owners—and manufacturers.
talk much about guns on the campaign trail. But his voting record paints the
picture of a legislator who is both skeptical of gun control and invested in
the interests of gun owners—and manufacturers.
Sanders opposes gun control? He
respects gun owners and their makers? Bang. “Feel the Bern” has now turned into
in the flaming wounds of gunshot victims.
respects gun owners and their makers? Bang. “Feel the Bern” has now turned into
in the flaming wounds of gunshot victims.
Sterns’ article then details that as
Independent Congress from Vermont, Sanders voted against the
1993 Brady Act. As US Senator, he voted to allow
Amtrak passengers to pack heat in their carry-on language (have
concealed-carry, will travel). He also voted to block
funding for any foreign organization which registers or taxes gun owners. Sanders
campaign may play out very well (better than Hillary) in gun-grabbing
Connecticut, where 300,000 gun owners faced felony charges for failure to
register their firearms, or in Clinton’s deep-blue New York, where Governor
Andrew Cuomo attempted to impose a gun registry.
Independent Congress from Vermont, Sanders voted against the
1993 Brady Act. As US Senator, he voted to allow
Amtrak passengers to pack heat in their carry-on language (have
concealed-carry, will travel). He also voted to block
funding for any foreign organization which registers or taxes gun owners. Sanders
campaign may play out very well (better than Hillary) in gun-grabbing
Connecticut, where 300,000 gun owners faced felony charges for failure to
register their firearms, or in Clinton’s deep-blue New York, where Governor
Andrew Cuomo attempted to impose a gun registry.
OnTheIssues.org
lists Sanders’ numerous pro-gun ownership votes, including a successful tort
reform measure to
block lawsuits against gun manufactures, i. e. the Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act. Strangely enough, Sanders received an “F” rating from the
National Rifle Association. Liberal elements are
still asking about that one.
lists Sanders’ numerous pro-gun ownership votes, including a successful tort
reform measure to
block lawsuits against gun manufactures, i. e. the Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act. Strangely enough, Sanders received an “F” rating from the
National Rifle Association. Liberal elements are
still asking about that one.
How has the Vermont Senator’s gun
stance affected his campaign so far?
stance affected his campaign so far?
CNN
and Politico
indicate that Senator Sanders is gun shy about discussing the Second Amendment.
The
Boston Globe claims that Sanders has a “lighter touch” on gun control.
and Politico
indicate that Senator Sanders is gun shy about discussing the Second Amendment.
The
Boston Globe claims that Sanders has a “lighter touch” on gun control.
Following the Charleston, South
Carolina atrocity, Sanders
issued the following press release:
Carolina atrocity, Sanders
issued the following press release:
"This senseless violence fills me with outrage, disgust and
a deep, deep sadness," Sanders tweeted. In a longer statement, the
Democratic presidential contender said the killings, which were blamed on a
white suspect whose victims included state Sen. Clementa Pinckney (D), showed
that the U.S. had a long way to go in escaping its history of racial violence.
a deep, deep sadness," Sanders tweeted. In a longer statement, the
Democratic presidential contender said the killings, which were blamed on a
white suspect whose victims included state Sen. Clementa Pinckney (D), showed
that the U.S. had a long way to go in escaping its history of racial violence.
"The hateful killing of nine people praying inside a church
is a horrific reminder that, while we have made significant progress in
advancing civil rights in this country, we are far from eradicating
racism," he said.
is a horrific reminder that, while we have made significant progress in
advancing civil rights in this country, we are far from eradicating
racism," he said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their
congregation," Sanders added.
congregation," Sanders added.
![]("http://www.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Bernie-Sanders-2011.jpg") |
| Bernie Sanders said nothing about gun violence in the Charleston, SC aftermath |
Discussions against race and racial
violence, but not one statement about gun control. Then he held a
large rally near a Charleston prayer vigil. Ouch!
violence, but not one statement about gun control. Then he held a
large rally near a Charleston prayer vigil. Ouch!
What can we derive from this debate
within the Democratic Party and throughout the country?
within the Democratic Party and throughout the country?
Already divided on trade, and to a
lesser extent on marriage, the gun issue is shooting up the Democratic Party
rank-and-file. Even
in liberal Rhode Island, the most Democratic state in the Union, the
firearms community commands considerable influence, and pushes back against
gun-grabbing and gun control legislation year after year.
lesser extent on marriage, the gun issue is shooting up the Democratic Party
rank-and-file. Even
in liberal Rhode Island, the most Democratic state in the Union, the
firearms community commands considerable influence, and pushes back against
gun-grabbing and gun control legislation year after year.
Furthermore, the National Rifle
Association remains not just informative but influential, and with the rising
crime rates in Democratic, despotic urban communities, more citizens recognize
that Wayne LaPierre was on target when he fired back at Second Amendment
critics: “The best defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a
gun”.
Association remains not just informative but influential, and with the rising
crime rates in Democratic, despotic urban communities, more citizens recognize
that Wayne LaPierre was on target when he fired back at Second Amendment
critics: “The best defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a
gun”.
With this gun element exposed about
Sanders (The
New Republic pooh-poohed his
illicit-explicit rants from 1972), left-wing activists are taking shots at
Senator and Presidential contender Sanders. For Stern, the sorest pro-gun vote aims
at PLCAA, a Republican and conservative (aka right-wing) talking point not just
on gun ownership, but tort reform. Stern goads the US Senator on this issue,
while trying to bolster Hillary Clinton’s now-flagging campaign:
Sanders (The
New Republic pooh-poohed his
illicit-explicit rants from 1972), left-wing activists are taking shots at
Senator and Presidential contender Sanders. For Stern, the sorest pro-gun vote aims
at PLCAA, a Republican and conservative (aka right-wing) talking point not just
on gun ownership, but tort reform. Stern goads the US Senator on this issue,
while trying to bolster Hillary Clinton’s now-flagging campaign:
Several liberal congressional representatives have recently spoken out against the PLCAA, and if Democrats retake both
houses of Congress, they may make repealing the law a priority. Hillary
Clinton, who voted against the act as a senator, would almost certainly
sign a repeal bill. Would a President Bernie Sanders? Until he says otherwise,
we have every reason to believe the ostensible progressive hero would stand behind the vile legislation he
championed just a decade ago.
houses of Congress, they may make repealing the law a priority. Hillary
Clinton, who voted against the act as a senator, would almost certainly
sign a repeal bill. Would a President Bernie Sanders? Until he says otherwise,
we have every reason to believe the ostensible progressive hero would stand behind the vile legislation he
championed just a decade ago.
Hillary would repeal PLCAA, Stern
claims. Really? With the might of the NRA derailing Obama’s repeated gun
control measures and exposing his unconstitutional executive orders, will any
Democratic candidate dare take on the NRA?
claims. Really? With the might of the NRA derailing Obama’s repeated gun
control measures and exposing his unconstitutional executive orders, will any
Democratic candidate dare take on the NRA?
![]("http://www.truthrevolt.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/field/image/articles/berniesanders_0.jpg?itok=Ys_pykyD") |
| Bernie Sanders, Right-Wing Gun Nut |
Not even Sanders dares shoot back at
the firearms community. Weekend
at Bernie’s has turned into another circular firing
squad within the Democratic Party, and left-leaning elements are targeting
Sanders for his staunch stance in favor of firearms. Will
his record on gun rights blow a big hole in his campaign? Not just Sanders’ run
for the White House, but the entire slate of prospective Democratic contenders
will be shooting at each other to augment their credentials on gun control, only
to shoot themselves in the foot for the general election in 2016.
the firearms community. Weekend
at Bernie’s has turned into another circular firing
squad within the Democratic Party, and left-leaning elements are targeting
Sanders for his staunch stance in favor of firearms. Will
his record on gun rights blow a big hole in his campaign? Not just Sanders’ run
for the White House, but the entire slate of prospective Democratic contenders
will be shooting at each other to augment their credentials on gun control, only
to shoot themselves in the foot for the general election in 2016.