Liberty Nation brings you a preview of the week’s political stories from two perspectives: The most significant developments in US national politics and which stories will be most talked about – unanticipated developments notwithstanding.
Congress is still on vacation, which is never necessarily a bad thing, but pressure is building for federal lawmakers to tackle some much-talked-about issues when they return to DC. Gun control is high on the agenda for Democrats and the focus of this discussion centers on how effective they will be in browbeating Republicans into going along with new federal firearms regulations. The alleged rise of white supremacy is also sucking up a lot of oxygen, while the battle of narratives over the fate of the American economy is likely to reach new levels of hysteria.
Gun Rights Hang in the Balance
Republican resistance to further assaults on the Second Amendment will likely continue to erode. A number of prominent GOPers have signaled their interest in exploring various measures, such as expanding background checks to include private gun sales – between one individual and another – that do not currently require a background check.
Other options being considered are so-called red flag laws and even a new ban on certain scary-looking semi-automatic rifles, or, as some refer to them, “assault rifles.” This latter proposal is a favorite among Democrats, but it is also the one measure on which Republicans will likely stand firm. It is difficult to see how legislation that expands background checks would be enforced. Red flag laws – while based on the generally sensible principle that known, potentially dangerous or mentally ill individuals should not have access to firearms – are ripe for massive abuse, particularly in certain states and local jurisdictions controlled by anti-gun lawmakers.
Anti-gun groups across the country are ramping up their propaganda offensive against gun rights. Numerous protests are on the cards, along with well-financed ad campaigns. It will be interesting to see whether Second Amendment advocacy groups will mount counter-campaigns and how much resistance those efforts encounter.
Fascists Versus ‘’Fascists”
Anti-fascist Action, or Antifa, continues to use methods historically favored by fascist regimes to resist what it claims is a new rise of fascism in America. In the wake of unrest in Portland, OR, the left-wing media is likely to devote a generous amount of time to feeding the menacing specter of white nationalism while almost completely ignoring – or even defending – Antifa’s violent tactics. Political discord has come to the public square, as it has periodically done throughout history. That certain groups have decided to take to the streets to counter the radical left does not, in reality, indicate a rise in white nationalism: It indicates, merely, that some of those who have constantly been targets of left-wing invective are no longer remaining silent.
Recession: Self-Fulfilling Prophesy?
President Donald Trump recently accused the media of trying to talk the country into an economic recession. It is difficult to disagree with that theory. Of late, the cable news networks and the establishment media have become fixated on the narrative that the president’s policies are driving America toward recession.
It is hard not to suspect that Trump’s opponents – having realized that a strong economy will all but guarantee his re-election – are trying hard to erode public confidence and investor confidence in the nation’s immediate economic future. In reality, the economic indicators do not foretell an imminent recession, though there is a belief that we could be due one sometime around the end of 2020 or early 2021.
In other upcoming news, Democratic presidential candidates will be making a last push to book their spots on the stage for the next primary debate. With about a week left to qualify, nerves are fraying among some of those contenders who are failing, still, to get any traction. Former VP Joe Biden may be feeling the pressure to get a fresh grip on his fading lead in the polls. The September debate, for which nine candidates have qualified as of this writing, could be Uncle Joe’s last debate as the favorite for his party’s nomination.
Also, expect to hear a lot this week about Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke, who has relaunched his presidential bid for what seems like the fifth time. The former congressman from Texas, who recently ruled out the possibility of dropping out of the race to run for a Senate seat, is almost certain to put out some new, headline-grabbing proposals and may even treat us all to a video of his next pedicure.
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Read more from Graham J. Noble or comment on this article at Liberty Nation.com.
