Reaping What You Have Sown
Like millions of Americans, I am appalled at today’s events – and my thoughts are with Steve Scalise and his family. No one should be the victim of gun violence, regardless of their political positions or affiliation. No family should have to live with the possibility of losing a loved one due to a crazed gunman.
That being said, I am equally appalled by some of the comments I’ve heard tonight from Republicans.
A Republican who appeared on CNN tonight stated that he was now afraid to participate in activities where he might be a target of a disgruntled, gun-toting citizen.
To him I would say: So you’re afraid? Imagine what it’s like for millions of Americans who live in states where, thanks to Republicans, gun control laws are lax to the point of being non-existent. Imagine what it’s like to shop at the mall, walk down the street, or send your child off to school, never knowing if someone with a gun will end your life or the life of a loved one – a husband, a wife, a best friend, a child.
There are people who live with that fear every minute of every day. They live in places where Republicans have made it possible for armed madmen to walk among us – many of them ticking time-bombs whose access to firearms is unfettered due to GOPers who claim that the right-to-bear-arms is far more important than restricting those rights in any way.
Another Republican lamented the hateful rhetoric that is permeating our political discourse. He pointed to the fact that even at town-hall meetings of late, citizens are full of angry vitriol. Is it really a surprise that people who may lose their healthcare coverage – and may die as a result – are angry? Is it really so shocking that people facing the loss of the safety-nets they need merely to survive are furious at being told that Republicans want to gut those programs to the point where people can’t feed themselves or their children?
I would remind the GOP that they elected a “president” who encouraged violence at his campaign rallies – and even offered to pay the legal costs of anyone arrested for perpetrating that violence. I would remind the GOP that they recently elected Greg Gianforte to the House of Representatives – twenty-four hours AFTER he physically assaulted a journalist.
I could be wrong – but I cannot find a single statement from a Democrat that incites violence, or proffers it as a solution to what ails us as a nation. I cannot find a statement from Hillary Clinton, nor any other Democrat who has run for office, encouraging the idea that physical violence is not only acceptable, but who has offered legal assistance to those who engage in it.
Above all, I would remind the GOP that they have consistently voted AGAINST sensible gun control laws that keep weapons out of the hands of those who are potentially violent and, in many cases, mentally unstable.
To hear elected Republicans decrying the obvious result of the gun violence they themselves have made possible – one might even say probable – is beyond sad; it is despicable. It is yet another example of the hypocrisy that Republicans demonstrate on a daily basis. They have consistently ignored those who live with the constant fear of gun violence in their own communities, only to react when one of their own is the target of such violence.
While I appreciate the concern of Republicans who are rallying behind Steve Scalise and are praying for him, I cannot help but wonder where there concern is for the millions of citizens they have put at risk through their policies. I cannot help but wonder why they are so full of sympathy for their fallen party member, when they have demonstrated no sympathy whatsoever for the citizens who live with the possibility of being victims of gun violence every day of their lives due to Republican policies.
I am hopeful that Steve Scalise will survive and fully recover. I am hopeful that his family and friends will not have to face the pain of losing a loved one.
But at the same time, I am cognizant of the fact that Republicans have, time and again, turned a blind eye to those who have had to face that pain, those who have implored the GOP to put an end to policies that put weapons in the hands of those who should never have had access to weapons in first place.
Sad to say – but it must be said: You reap what you sow. I have zero sympathy for the party that has sown anger and encouraged violence. I have zero sympathy for the party that elected a man who encouraged that anger and violence. I have zero sympathy for the party that has put weapons in the hands of deranged citizens because they thought the votes of gun-lovers were somehow more important than the safety of their fellow citizens.
Today’s events are a sad commentary on where we are, and what we’ve become as a nation. But it is also, more importantly, a beyond-sad commentary on how the policies of the GOP have made this tragedy not only possible, but ultimately inevitable.
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So eloquent. 
Thank you so much
