From Economist:
"...'To the frustration and discouragement of many Democrats, House and Senate lawmakers and aides say it now appears likely that President Obama will this week sign into law a provision allowing visitors to national parks and refuges to carry loaded and concealed weapons...A majority of Democrats in the House and Senate still typically come down on the side of gun control. But the fact that they have been outmaneuvered by Republicans on gun issues is rooted in the fact that recently swollen Democratic ranks include senators and House members who represent Western states and more rural areas where gun ownership is popular and deemed sacrosanct.'
This holds an important lesson for people who pronounce on exceptionalism: the fact that more people wear "D"s on their backs does not necessarily signal a change in fundamental values. It also holds important lessons for Republican reformers: sometimes you have to compromise on one of your core issues (as gun rights surely were to urban liberals not too long ago) if you are to have any chance of winning national power."
TW: Have posted on gun control previously and this angle in particular(see key word tab). When I see Obama signing this kind of legislation part of me wants to puke but then I enjoy having 60 Dem senators and I also enjoy the Republican stridency likely meaning the Dems may have 62 or 63 after the 2010 election. That folks feel like they need to pack a gun while in our national parks befuddles me but if that is the price to paid for electoral supremacy I am willing to pay it.
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