United States Senate, a subsidiary of the National Rifle Association (Photo credit: rpongsaj)
Yesterday, United States Senate failed to pass the law extending the background check requirement to most private gun sales. Although 85% to 90% of all Americans support universal background checks, and more than 50 Senators were in favor of passing the bill, a strong majority of 46 Senators defeated the bill. (According to the current Senate rules, 41 or more votes out of 100 constitute a majority). In response, visibly infuriated President Barack Obama held a press conference, calling out the National Rifle Association for “willful lies” and shaming Senators for their votes. Here are 10 reasons why Senate voted down the background checks:
1) These 46 Senators decided to go along with the NRA, because it’s usually not a good idea to antagonize a bunch of angry people with guns.
2) Guns are very important to many Americans: in rural states, guns are a way of life. And, for about 30 thousand people every year, guns are also a way of death.
3) These 46 Senators aren’t really opposed to all background checks. At least they looked favorably upon the checks handed out by the NRA in the background.
4) Senators were concerned that if stronger background check requirement will stop criminals and mentally unstable people from buying firearms, the gun sales would plummet so much that the government will have to bail out the entire gun industry.
5) They just wanted to see if they can finally get Obama to act like a stereotypical angry black man.
6) The Senate decided that it’s time to educate the American citizens about the way the government really works, and finally get the voters to stop believing in the myth that they live in a democracy.
7) Although the Constitution entitles us to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, Congress is working on a plan to cut entitlements, and right to life is one of those entitlements that they plan to cut.
8) By defeating the background check bill, Senators tried to refute the NRA’s argument that Obama is trying to take away their guns.
9) Believing that Obama was using gun violence victims as props in the gun control debate, the NRA used the Senators as props of their own.
10) Although the current gun control debate has been spurred by Sandy Hook school mass shooting in which 20 children were killed, Senators don’t really care about children, because children do not vote. Especially when they’re dead.
List of X 
These are specific, funny in a sick way and dead on. As a victim of random gun violence I read them and don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I do know as I read them I grow more infuriated with both the spineless Harry Reid who refused to change the Senate rules to a simple majority of 50+1 and who cannot control his own caucus.
Thanks.
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Thank you, I’m not sure which reaction, laughing or crying, I was going for here myself.
I am not happy with Reid myself, but I don’t think he really had the ability to change the rules of the Senate, since that would probably require same 60 votes.
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Reblogged this on AMERICAN LIBERAL TIMES and commented:
I am reblogging this article by “List of X” because it is timely, important, and relevant and because it brings a touch of humor where a little brightness is needed and I love it. (John Liming, author – “American Liberal Times.”)
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Thank you for the reblog, John!
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Absolutely scathing . . .as it should be. Good work!
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Thank you, Steve.
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Brilliant. Perfect. Well said.
Assholes.
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
And I’ll try to forward that last part to the Senate.
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Please do.
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Reblogged this on TheBrabbleRabble and commented:
List Of X nails it!
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Thank you!
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Great post. This vote disappoints me greatly. Please, please take action and write your Senators and Congresspeople. Also, you must read Gabrielle Giffords’ editorial on the subject.
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Thank you. I have read Giffords’ editorial. But I live in a deep blue state, and I don’t really have a reason to write to any of my Senators or Congresspeople, since none of them oppose universal background checks.
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I agree with #1!
Brilliant post – again!
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Thank you. If that were really #1, then I have to say that I finally agree with the Senate’s decision process.
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Although i enjoy all of your lists; this one is my FAVE of them all!(so far ..) The saddest part about this entire topic? That more than likely #3 is what essentially swayed the votes..and I hate to think like that! But it is what it IS..money talks , bullshiite walks..and obviously dead children (or people in general) aren’t worth as much as dead benjamins. I’ve tired of thinking like this; because I do believe in our political system. Nothing is without loopholes ; however it is the ASSholes that are in the political system that are at fault. Even IF #5 had come to be(which truth be told all people have an angry side; but I do know what you meant by that..*virtual high five!) that wouldn’t solve the biggest problem with Congress..I almost half wished President Obama DID truly let his hair down in closed chambers..jeez I’d like to be a fly on the wall in there if that ever happens. Again, excellent piece X. 2 thumbs UP and *round of applause*
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Thank you! I don’t think it’s the money, it’s really the (very misguided) perception that NRA has huge sway on the results of the election – at least that must be what the 4 Democratic Senators opposed to background checks were thinking. As if those 10%-15% voters who oppose background check will ever vote for a Democrat. And Republicans, these just will oppose whatever Obama happens to be supporting.
Trust me, you DON’T want to be a fly on the wall when Obama gets angry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4OqOGzh83k
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Ahhhh so well I was misguided as well; because I thought the NRA had a huge influence also…Or maybe the senators who opposed it are secret members? Or have family members who are members?! Who knows why they ‘stupidly’ voted the way they did..Know what I wish? I wish they had to explain WHY in front of their constituents..I wish there was some type of accountability(before election time rolls around..because people will forget!); for voting against things that could impact lives for the better. Save lives..
Lmao! Lollll at that youtube clip. OMG how did I never see that? He killed that fly so smoothly as IF it was something he had plenty of practice doing. Lol! Caught me off guard I didnt’ expect it. You’re right I take back my fly on the wall comment. Ouch!
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Perfect example of a perfectly sensible, logical decision being held to ransom by a seemingly small section with a large stake.
If guns are so important to the American way of life, perhaps senators should try putting the shoe on the other foot and fight for making possession of a gun a basic right, like right to eat, and then put it up to vote. And perhaps decree that the first car bought by a citizen would have to be at least an armoured carrier, though a tank is recommended.
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Yes, that’s the perfect example how legislation works here.
Unfortunately, senators don’t need to put the question for a vote. We already have the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution that basically guarantees a right to a gun for everyone, but there is nothing in the Constitution that guarantees the right to eat. I
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Reblogged this on My Life, Such As It is and commented:
I’m angry and upset about the defeat of the gun control legislation in the United States Senate last week. I’m reflagging this List of X blog from The Hook’s site. I think it’s worth a reblog.
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Thank you for the reblog!
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I reblogged this post on my site because I’m angry and upset by the vote in the Senate. I live in one of the biggest gun states in the Union–Texas– and I am disgusted by the way that the gun culture has taken over our lives here. It is just assumed that people should and will have guns in their homes for “protection.” Our governor believes it is our God-given right to possess assault weapons, that it is a violation of the 2nd amendment to require background checks. It’s just insane. The insanity has to stop. Thank you for writing this post.
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The God-given rights I know are right to life, right to love your neighbor and right to turn the other cheek, but, even though I’m an atheist, I’m pretty sure there is nothing in the Bible about guns. (I saw you’re not a Christian either, but I’m referring to Bible because in Texas “religion” always means “Christianity”).
And I don’t get the logic of keeping guns in the house for “protection”: I know that statistically, guns that are kept for “protection” are several times more likely to be used against someone in the household. It’s like keeping rattlesnakes in the house to deter burglars: maybe someday the snake will bite a burglar, but it will probably bite you first.
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#7 is spot on. Bulleye.
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Thank you! I would very much like to keep that entitlement.
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The legislation was sparked by December’s massacre of children and staff at an elementary school in Connecticut. Obama made broadened background checks the centrepiece of his gun control proposals.
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