GOP wrong about sit-in
In a body that has become almost impotent due to raging hyper-partisanship, U. S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatens to further poison the well by considering disciplining the Democratic members who engaged in a recent sit-in to protest the unwillingness of the GOP to move forward legislation designed to protect us from the scourge of guns, particularly to be unwilling to address the ease with which those who are suspected terrorists may amass an arsenal.
McCarthy, apparently with a straight face, accuses the sit-in participants of behavior which was not “becoming of the U. S. Congress.” Please. Apparently the leader’s position is that what is behavior becoming of the U. S. Congress is to kowtow to the gun manufacturers’ lobby, the National Rifle Association, to adopt its hyperbole and propaganda, thereby aligning itself against public safety, placing the special interest above the interest of the people.
If there is any member of Congress who can be seen as 100 percent pure and decent, it is civil rights icon and legend John Lewis (D-Georgia), a man who risked his life and almost lost it in order to fight for an end to segregation, and who is the individual who led the sit-in. There are not many members of Congress who are worthy of the word “hero” but U.S. Rep. Lewis fits perfectly. I would generally be proud to stand tall with him on social issues such as the extraordinarily easy access to guns that is uniquely afforded in this country.
What I believe McCarthy is upset about is that his party has been exposed.
If the leader wishes to pursue action against the Democrats who engaged in protest, then, as George W. Bush would have said, “Bring it on!” I see the brouhaha that has been created blowing up in the face of the leader and his loyal footsoldiers.
Oren M. Spiegler
Upper Saint Clair