Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 08:54 AM Apr 2013

EDITORIAL: Did Connecticut GOP shift national momentum on gun control?

"Connecticut could have passed a gun control bill without a single Republican vote...

"It could have passed tough new restrictions over the objection of every Republican in the state House and Senate even if they’d been joined by a number of the more conservative Democrats...

"Instead, Democrats insisted that minority Republicans be at the table, and that gun owners would be heard even as public hearings stretched past midnight. And they agreed to compromise."

Excellent editorial in the New Haven Register: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2013/04/09/opinion/doc516334febfdab885406133.txt

Usually, I am wary of the Register's editorial page. But today, they did a magnificent job of outlining "how we did it" in CT. The shame on our state was just too great not to be remedied, at least in doing as much as we COULD do.

Not every state can do what CT was able to do. But the point is that if nothing is ventured, nothing is gained...

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
EDITORIAL: Did Connecticut GOP shift national momentum on gun control? (Original Post) CTyankee Apr 2013 OP
Or, more simply, the CT republican party does polls, too. Robb Apr 2013 #1
True. Plus the fact that the blot on our state was just too much for lots of legislators. CTyankee Apr 2013 #2

Robb

(39,665 posts)
1. Or, more simply, the CT republican party does polls, too.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 09:16 AM
Apr 2013

You'd have to be pretty comfy with your seat to vote against gun safety legislation in the wake of Sandy Hook.

That's why the national campaign talks about "We deserve a vote." Going on record as opposing anything that might reduce the slaughter isn't going to help any career politicians who're less than 15 points ahead of the competition.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
2. True. Plus the fact that the blot on our state was just too much for lots of legislators.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 09:21 AM
Apr 2013

Leading by setting an example is still important. Those CT Republicans voting for the law owned up to their responsibility as legislators, IMO. I give them a lot of credit...

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»EDITORIAL: Did Connecticu...