Keep the Guns Out of the Parks!

LOADED WEAPONS IN THE PARKS?
WHAT IS THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE DOING?

Thomas Riggins

Everyone, except the bankers, is happy to have the corrupt credit card usurers reigned in a bit by the Obama administration. The Democratic Senate passed new regulations on credit cards that will be helpful for working people-- but it refused to put a 15% cap on interest rates-- a big boon to the monopoly capitalists and kick in the teeth for working people.

The Democrats also caved in to the gun lobby. The Bush administration was blocked by the courts from changing the rules prohibiting loaded weapons in NATIONAL PARKS and WILDLIFE REFUGES. This move was applauded by conservationists and gun control advocates around the country.

But REPUBLICAN SENATOR Tom Coburn of Oklahoma "inserted an amendment to the credit card bill that would allow concealed, loaded guns in parks and refuges (Wall Street Journal, 5-20-09). Coburn is one of the most reactionary members of the Senate. The Democrats could have blocked this amendment. Hey Guys! You were not elected by the NRA and gun lobby (or were you?). Senate Democrats and Representatives should take this awful amendment out of the bill during the House-Senate conference.