They are becoming too devious by half. Once they could be depended upon as a clear and unwavering voice of support for the rights of Americans which are confirmed by the Second Amendment. There were always organizations who accused them of not being sufficiently strident, but if you were willing to be slightly cognizant of political realities, you had to agree that the NRA was effective.
Then came the carve out and cave in for the DISCLOSE Act. The Supreme Court had said in their Citizens United decision that corporations and interest groups could actively support candidates and positions. That led to a Congressional backlash to shut the voice of the people down...except for the unions, of course. The NRA's principled position should have been to oppose such restriction on free political speech.
That would have been the case until they were purchased with a special provision that narrowly exempted interest groups of a certain size, i.e. the NRA itself. Then with their own niche secure (at least temporarily), they threw the rest of the concept of free political speech under the bus.
Just as that was settling down, we get this:
Better the Devil You Know Than the Devil You Don't
There is no more conspicuous enemy of the Constitution in the US Senate today than Harry Reid. He is almost certain to lose in Nevada where the economic meltdown is forcing even the most socialist citizens to rethink their position. An actual gun rights supporter is his opponent. Hard to find a down-side there.
But, the NRA is able to dig one out! They reason that they should support Reid, because if the Republicans don't seize enough seats to regain control of the Senate and Reid should lose then a new majority leader would be chosen and that individual might be Chuck Shumer or Dick Durbin. If, if, if.
The position of majority leader is significant. And, unless that individual is fulfilling the will of the people and guiding the legislative body with respect for the Constitution, they can find themselves unelected. That should not be viewed as a disposable power.
Consistent application of that ability to oust autocratic leadership may very well be a deterrent to careerist politicians like Shumer and Durbin. The NRA should not discount the principle.
Meanwhile, the NRA has demonstrated a significant problem with the concept of Life Membership.
I may still chop my card up and ship it back to them for their consideration.
3 comments:
I'm mulling over sending them a pointed message myself. I'm trying to decide whether it's better to tell them to stuff their membership (and my money) or try to convince them to change their stance. I'll probably try the latter but I'm one wrong response from telling the NRA to pound sand.
I already sent the NRA an email asking them to not support Harry Reid but I've heard nothing from them. If the NRA supports Harry Reid then they can shove their organization where the sun doesn't shine.
Every time I have wanted to join the NRA, they have consistently done something to make me think they do not deserve my money. Ive seriously considered joining a dozen times or more over my life time but each time they reinforce my suspicions that they are politicians just like all the others.
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