New Year's Resolution

My New Year's Resolution: each time I read in the mainstream media a direct quote from a Democratic congresscritter/Senator suggesting tougher federal gun control laws, I'm going to mail a modest financial donation to the RCCC or RSCC, as appropriate. And I will include a letter explaining why I sent the donation. And I will send a letter to either the DCCC or DSCC, as appropriate, explaining that my donation to their opponents is on behalf of the Second Amendment, due to the statements of their party's officeholders.

Sen. Charles Schumer is one of the foremost proponents of tougher federal gun control, but he used to be an absolute maniac on the subject. He never missed an opportunity to step in front of the TV cameras and expound at length on the subject: "NRA, blah, blah, gun lobby, blah, blah, evil-evil-evil."

But after his stint as chair of the DSCC (2005-2009), he has calmed down quite a bit. He found out how sensitive the rest of the country (in that wild and desolate wasteland west of the Hudson) was to the subject of gun control. He found out how difficult it was to raise money for red state Democrats who were perceived as favoring new federal gun control laws. And he found out how effectively the other side could raise money on the issue. It may be a winner in MA, NY, NJ, MD, DC, CA and Chicago, but it's a loser just about everywhere else. And public opinion is moving strongly away from gun control and continues to do so in spite of the horrific murders two weeks ago.

Rahm Emmanuel is said to have experienced a similar revelation when he was head of the DCCC (2005-2007). Later, as mayor, it didn't stop him from defending Chicago's indefensible gun laws, but his stubborness cost Chicago's taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees - and that's just for the other side (our side) - who knows how many millions Chicago paid to its own legal team? Not much, I hope...it was a pretty pathetic effort.

A couple of red (or, maybe, purple) state Democratic Senators recently expressed a newfound willingness to consider renewing the failed AWB. They aren't facing re-election for another four to six years, and they think we won't remember. But a third of the Senate faces re-election every two years. So a financial contribution to the opposition's fund-raising arm sends a strong message. I can imagine the head of the DSCC phoning Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and saying, "Mark, do you know how hard you're making my job? Do you remember when you recruited me for this position? Do you remember promising me that you would do everything you could to help me? Do you remember that, Mark? Do you really? Then WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SANDBAGGING ME AT EVERY TURN YOU SONOFABITCH!? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SHOOT YOUR MOUTH OFF ABOUT GUN CONTROL? WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

One can dream, can't one?

One pundit said, "If Congress doesn't pass tough new gun control laws after this, they never will."

Make it so.