# "dead children and monied politicians" **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 18, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071 "2013-04-18T21:48:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071/41 "2013-04-19T21:55:32Z")
Money has long influenced the political process not only in this country but in Britain and many other places as well. While the Guardian and its readers are weeping in despair over how the American political process is “broken”, it’s well to remember that at least we don’t have an appointed legislative body loaded with members of the peerage (the House of Lords) who can substantially delay or even thwart legislation enacted by elected officials. And we don’t have a libel law system rigged in favor of well-connected sleazebags who don’t like criticism. As for gun control legislation, the NRA is a convenient whipping boy for those who’d rather not think about all the pro-gun rights citizens who (while not necessarily supporting all NRA positions), when you come right down to it are those who exert the real pressure on politicians. And the NRA is a nice bogeyman to attack if you’re too lazy or ineffective to mount your own lobbying campaign. I weep in despair for clueless dingbats. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071/42 "2013-04-19T22:09:32Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Why? Because the Senate is functioning as the Founders intended? How is “bought and paid for” functional? Supreme Court be dammed (and I hope they are), money is not speech! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071/43 "2013-04-19T22:11:05Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > In that case, then the House and Senate must have an equal number of members. As it stands now, each Senator’s vote is worth roughly 5 times as much as a Representative’s vote–more if you take into account the fact that only the Senate votes on things like treaties. You’re joking, right? > [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > That being said, I would ask why you say that each vote does not contain equal weight when it comes to the Senate? I would assume you’re referring to that whole complaint that (small state) Wyoming has two senators just like (big state) California does, and that this isn’t fair representation of the people. > > If that is your point then I must disagree about it being unfair. The Senate is suppose to provide equal representation for each state–not for each citizen. Therefore every state gets the same number of senators. The senators are elected by the citizens of each state–not by the citizens of the USA as a whole. Every vote for a senator has precisely the same weight as every other vote because every qualified citizen of a given state has the right to vote for their senator. I didn’t say it was unfair. I said it was undemocratic. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071/44 "2013-04-19T23:12:46Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > I’f I’m registering my guns, that’s good enough. Feds know who I am and what I now own. I shouldn’t have to ask their permission unless background checks go out the window too… > > 10k is a bit high, I’d meet you halfway at $5k. As a tax payer I already paid for that rifle once. I’d rather not pay 15x more than what it cost brand new. Anything surplus will be quite worn out. Why would you need a background check if you have a license? The license obviates the need for background checks and all you have to do is run the license. Right now a used select fire AR-15 can go for up to $25,000 if its in good shape. $10,000 seems like a bargain to me. Maybe drop the price to $5000 if they’re project guns. I’ve seen surplus garands that are is pretty good shape after you get all that gunk off them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071.md?page=2)