Senator pushing for gun control is just doing it for his career

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is engaging in the political theater he once criticized others for. But because he’s the one doing the filibuster this time around it must be valid.

Senator Murphy indicated he would remain on the Senate floor until he gets some proof that the Senate will take on gun control. But he must just be doing it for his political career. At least, that’s the insult he uses when his political opponents filibuster.

Related: Politicizing shootings doesn’t fix the problem

Back in September of 2013, Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul embarked on their own filibuster against Obamacare, arguing that it would not just weaken the health care system, but cause prices to go up for most Americans. Though Obamacare hasn’t been the end of health care as we know it, it hasn’t come close to the promise of affordable health care. In fact, in 2017, one of the most popular plans under Obamacare will see a huge price jump.

At the time of the filibuster, Senator Murphy was a huge critic arguing that “[t]here’s no point to this other than advancing the career of one or two senators.” He further tweeted: “Walking into Capitol to take 11-1 shift presiding over the Senate for this pointless fairy tale non-filibuster.”

So what’s changed? The issue. He liked Obamacare, so he defended it by attacking the character of two Senators. But on the issue of gun control, it’s worthy of a filibuster.

Now, it’s clearly subjective. Some believe further restrictions on guns are of paramount importance. But also some believed stopping Obamacare was imperative for people who wanted to keep the health insurance they had. There’s no right or wrong side. They’re opinions.

But why the automatic assumption that politicians do things solely for their careers when the only thing you dislike is their position? Can’t they want something good without nefarious purposes? And, if not, then shouldn’t the exact same criticism be leveled against you? We’ve fallen so far that we can’t accept people with strong opinions if they differ from our own. So rather than argue the merits, you attack their character.

Well, fine. For consistency sake, I guess Sen. Murphy doesn’t care about victims of gun violence; he cares about using them as props to push a political agenda and career. He’ll be the first to admit it, I suppose.

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