Political system
Political system
A realization of what really is behind votes
Today’s vote by the U.S. Senate rejecting tougher gun control laws in our country is a perfect example of what is wrong and dysfunctional with our current political system.
Recent polls show that 85 to 90 percent of Americans are in favor of background checks for purchases of firearms over the Internet and at gun shows.
Frankly, why the other 10 to 15 percent would find it logical to favor background checks for store-bought guns, but unfair to require these same checks for guns purchased over the Internet or at gun shows, is completely beyond me. I digress, however.
The issue that really struck me today is the fact that while 90 percent of Americans support these additional background checks, the Senate still voted against them.
Did I miss something?
Aren’t these politicians in Washington supposed to be representing the American people, the very people who put them in office in the first place?
No, in actuality their votes represent the lobbyists and special-interest groups with the most cash who can help assure future re-election, essentially the highest bidder.
Today it was the NRA with the high bid, who spent a half million dollars in a single day lobbying the senators.
Victim’s families from Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., and Virginia Tech were also in Washington but did not stand a chance, nor did the will of the American people, apparently.
If the current dysfunctional system is to ever change, Americans need to start firing their representatives when they stop representing.
A man can dream I guess.
Eric Garrett
Kailua-Kona
Conservation
Prohibit fishing at Kahaluu Beach Park
I agree with Ms. Hollis in regard to preventing fishing, poaching or spearing any creatures at our Kahuluu Beach Park.
It’s supposed to be a reserve anyway, so even the locals should not be allowed to catch anything in this bay.
I’m also a volunteer at the park and we help educate the public about not stepping on the corals, keeping a distance of at least 10 feet from the turtles and applying sunscreen 15 minutes before going into the water.
Our mission is to help preserve and bring back some of the coral reef that have been destroyed in the past by those who are unaware the coral reef is a living thing. There are signs posted on the beach, as well, but it never hurts to let it be known that any kind of fishing should be prohibited there — for everyone’s sake.
Colleen Wallis
Kailua-Kona