I hate using the word, "stupid". The word is not even permitted by our grandchildren, Mika and Emi. There are so many other words to describe behavior that it is less the most intelligent. However, I am not sure that "stupid" is sufficiently pertinent to the behavior of the US Senate who refused to pass legislation to extend background checks for purchases at gun shows and through the internet.
While one can rationalize the behavior of the Senators who voted against the legislation, e.g., they were expressing "the will of the people". Whatever the rationale for the votes, it comes down to their being stupid.
Democracy is at peril. We understand that the monies involved in special interests are distorting the "will of the people". Although it is reported that 90% of the population was in favor of this particular legislation and even though the parents of victims of Newtown personally presented their issues with the senators, there were enough senators voting against the legislation to deny the "will of the people".
In a prior blog, I referenced the benefits of considering tragedies within the context of "what if". What if members of their families were killed, what if others considered as family were killed, would they still be able to vote against the legislation?
Rather than considering their votes within the context of "what if", it seems that the only meaningful factor was whether the monies required to support their re-election would continue to flow. Such crass behavior, I label as stupid! I am sure that there are other words that would capture the reality, but we know that indeed have a problem in our democracy.
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