GOP to Dems: Please don't hurt us!

[bd]

When Pelosi made her proposal to protect Democrats in 2004, GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert refused to entertain the idea, let alone reply to her correspondence.

Crybabies.

bd

[LUVMYSIGP225]

BD,

I do not know you, but I have followed some of your posts.
This post is not meant to incite a debate or inflammatory response, but to actually glean some insight from you. I assume that you are fairly liberal based on past posts(if not, I apologize). I can be conservative on many issues, and very liberal on others. I DO NOT follow a party line, but become rather passionate about certain issues. I guess I average out as a moderate. I have seen several others around here label themselves as liberals.
I honestly want to know what your take is on the gun issue. You are an old member here, obviously. You have thousands of posts, and are a XD CLUB member. I will assume you like guns? Do you feel that support of the Democratic party could make you regret it later in terms of a strict gun ban? Do you think it is no longer on their agenda? Do you consider yourself a Blue Dog Democrat? Or, do you subscribe to the "Armed Liberal" philosophy that I am seeing growing stronger by the day? I jsut want your insight and honest reply. This post is NOT sarcastic in any way.

I have several friends that are DIE HARD Democrat, a few considering themselves liberal, and one of them just bought an AK-47 and a handgun. So, I am trying to figure out the train of thought.

[bd]

Originally Posted by LUVMYSIGP225

BD,

I do not know you, but I have followed some of your posts.
This post is not meant to incite a debate or inflammatory response, but to actually glean some insight from you. I assume that you are fairly liberal based on past posts(if not, I apologize). I can be conservative on many issues, and very liberal on others. I DO NOT follow a party line, but become rather passionate about certain issues. I guess I average out as a moderate. I have seen several others around here label themselves as liberals.
I honestly want to know what your take is on the gun issue. You are an old member here, obviously. You have thousands of posts, and are a XD CLUB member. I will assume you like guns? Do you feel that support of the Democratic party could make you regret it later in terms of a strict gun ban? Do you think it is no longer on their agenda? Do you consider yourself a Blue Dog Democrat? Or, do you subscribe to the "Armed Liberal" philosophy that I am seeing growing stronger by the day? I jsut want your insight and honest reply. This post is NOT sarcastic in any way.

I have several friends that are DIE HARD Democrat, a few considering themselves liberal, and one of them just bought an AK-47 and a handgun. So, I am trying to figure out the train of thought.

What is it you need to know...?

I have about 10 handguns ranging from a single action .22 revolver to an HS2000 to a S&W 686 to a Sig P245 and all kinds of others in between.

I own about 4 or 5 shotguns

and my rifles (12-15) range from a .22 single shot to an L1A1 .308 Battle Rifle.

I have a CCW permit in NC and have taken many hours training in handgun self defense and tactical training above and beyond the state's requirements. I carry regularly.

I've never had a gun taken away from me by any political party. But as I see it I know how I stand with firearms regarding the Democrat Party - they don't want to help me-and that's their message. I'm on my own.

As far as the Republican Party goes - they claim to be a gun owner's friend but I never see them take any action in that direction. The Republicans have had the ultimate opportunity to prove their dedication to the people who blindly vote for them every time, what have we gotten? They've held the presidency, the house and the senate for 6 years now, and now you can't sue gun manufacturers. Big damn deal. Bush even ran as a friend of gunowners in 2000 and I'm sorry to admit I voted for him because of that. As far as I can tell he lied about that and the party he represents looks the other way when us gunners are mentioned.

Just because the Republicans aren't hurting me doesn't mean they are helping me either.

I am more conservative on most all issues than anyone who supports Bush. He may be a Republican but he's certainly no conservative. If I lean towards liberalism it's on social issues - I have no problem sharing- to a certain extent.

The "Armed Liberals" you mentioned were the ones who won the independence of this country. That philosiphy has been around a lot longer than this so-called "conservative" movement that has gained a little momentum lately through deceit and casting aside the solid, honorable platforms of the GOP for fear-mongering and devisiveness.

I'll stick with a party where I know where I stand. The Republicans make themselves over every election. I hate hypocrisy and the Republican party since Gerald Ford left office has been the epitome of hypocrisy.

I'll take care of my own gun issues and I'm not a bit worried about them regardless of the party in power. I am proud to be an American and I will not live in fear as many people choose to do these days to prove what a loyal "conservative" they are. That's not the American way.

I have to wake up and face myself in the mirror every morning. That's why I'm not a Republican of the George Bush variety.

Have I cleared anything up for you?

bd

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Thanks for the time you took to type that reply.

Someone, somewhere has decided to split the country into two ideals. Although, that is not the case. I think that there is a perception in this country that you have to join either camp, and once you select one, that it comes with a printed agenda that one must follow. The fact of the matter, is that many people do not follow their party's agenda. My sister-in-law considers herself to be a liberal(mainly social issues). However, she has no problem with guns. They aren't even an issue in her life. She believes that criminals kill people and that they will always get a hold of them. She believes that guns do not kill people. However, she is not going to lobby for the NRA tomorrow. She just doesn't care enough about it. She may well vote for a candidate that hates guns, simply because the candidate represents well on issues dear to her heart(education). If I lose my guns because of that vote, it is of no concern to her. She doesn't applaud it, it is just collateral damage. However, anti-gunners will claim her vote as a direct vote for them. It works that way with both parties. I have noticed that the Brady Campaign is touting the last election win as a win for them. They consider every dem vote as a vote for them "The American People have spoken, and we need to stricter gun laws". Interestingly enough, pro-immigration groups are saying the same exact thing.

My whole point of the question to you is to fortify what I already thought. Most people are thinking for themselves. Not following a party agenda. Voting for the best candidate. And hoping that they are not mis-represented by their candidate. However, the candidates will support some of their party's more extremist member's agendas. On both sides of the floor. There has to be a way to stop the partisanship.

Anymore, it seems that I vote for the lesser of two evils. Weigh the issues, and make my vote.

[Trace]

Wow.

That pretty much sums it up bd.

I'll stick with a party where I know where I stand. The Republicans make themselves over every election. I hate hypocrisy and the Republican party since Gerald Ford left office has been the epitome of hypocrisy.

That's a well written response, and I completely respect your position. But in regard to the above quote, don't most politicians try to do this (constantly reinvent themselves)? Please tell me you won't vote for Hillary, who has too many faces to count...

I actually get a little depressed when I think about our representation in D.C.... All of them. I don't know why I even read this stupid political section.

[Frenchy]

I agree that neither party is a particular friend to the gun owner, however...It was a Republican-led Congress that kept the AWB from re-authorization, and a Republican-led Senate that passed the Gun manufacturers liability bill. When is the last time we saw a pro-gun Democratic bill?

[eleanor]

Under the Republicans the Dems had to meet in the basement -- and Republicans thought it was funny.

Now, they want a "Minority Bill Of Rights" -- when they wouldn't even TALK to a lobbyist who had ANYTHING to do with a Democrat.

Now, they talk about Nancy Pelosi beginning "the healing process" -- when they declared her time as speaker a "failure" -- before it ever started.

I suspect the reality is hitting home. They are going home -- and a new bunch, from a different party, is coming in. No longer will they be the Chairman -- controlling the agenda. No longer will Democrats be superfluous, no longer can they dismiss them -- the Dems will actually have a majority.

Now, the Republicans hope the Dems. treat them better than they treated the Dems. Some of the folks there forgot what a two party system is. They forgot how to negotiate. They never learned how to "ask nice".

I sincerely hope they have good reason to be "concerned"

[eleanor]

To "LUVMYSIGP225": Before you ask -- I fully support every one of the first Ten Amendments to The Constitution -- the First, as well as the Second, and all others.

In addition, I qualify as a "gun nut" -- with a larger than average # of guns and knives. Among them are three Sigs, four Glocks, and XD, and others.

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Originally Posted by eleanor

To "LUVMYSIGP225": Before you ask -- I fully support every one of the first Ten Amendments to The Constitution -- the First, as well as the Second, and all others.

In addition, I qualify as a "gun nut" -- with a larger than average # of guns and knives. Among them are three Sigs, four Glocks, and XD, and others.

That is great, and I applaud you for that! Gotta love those Sigs, don't you?

I wish that the democratic party would embrace gun owners. I wish the Blue Dogs and moderates would defy the liberals, and shut down their legislation before it comes to vote. Embrace the many of us gun owners that are a little more moderate. There is a very large contingent of Blue Dogs in this session, and I hope it pays off for us gun owners.