Republicans are going to legislate themselves right out of office
Most Americans are sick of Republican “thoughts and prayers.” Every time we turn around, there’s another mass shooting yet Republicans steadfastly deny the need for new gun laws. Shooting after shooting, Republican silence hangs over the world like a pall. Following the shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville, CNN quoted Mitch McConnell’s tweet: “We send our prayers to the victims, their families, and the city of Louisville as we await more information.” Rand Paul tweeted: “[My wife and I] are praying for everyone involved in the deadly shooting. Our hearts break for the families of those lost.” Yet, their hearts aren’t broken enough to try to put a stop to all the senseless killings. Unlike these Republicans and their useless prayers, President Joe Biden tweeted: “Too many Americans are paying for the price of inaction with their lives. When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?” When indeed.
The problem for Republicans is that they get much of their funding from gun manufacturers and organizations. If they do anything to upset their proverbial applecart, their seats in Congress and the Senate will be gone. That wouldn’t be a bad thing. Everything that Republicans stand for are the very things that most Americans want to see end. Society is getting younger by the day, and these young folks want action. That’s why Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were expelled from the legislature in Tennessee. They want action on guns. According to a recent Harvard Youth Poll, 18 to 29-year-old Americans voted at an incredible rate of 63% to strengthen gun laws. Other Americans wholeheartedly agree, with 57% wanting stricter gun laws. It’s not only the rising violence that is strangling Republicans. The other nail poised to close their collective coffin is abortion.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Americans have overwhelmingly showed their disdain for abortion laws. It showed in the midterm elections when Republicans thought they would take over the House and instead ended up with a very small majority. If they lose even one vote, their power is extinguished. Recent polls show that Americans want abortion to remain legal. According to CNN, only 26% want abortion made illegal, while an overwhelming 72% oppose laws restricting abortions. That number is too large to be made by Democrats alone, which means even some Republican voters don’t believe in restricting abortion. CNN also published a January Gallup poll that revealed 46% of Americans are “dissatisfied” with abortion policies and want less stricter laws. While 46% may not sound high, CNN reported that it is a record high when compared to 30% in 2022 and 17% in 2021. Abortion is a private decision between a woman, her doctor, and her family. It is interesting that the party that claims to hate “big government” doesn’t mind sticking its nose in when it fits their agenda. They might want to rethink their controlling policies before Republicans go the way of the dinosaur, which wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years