Webb misleading on Obama’s gun stance

P. Frank Berry Madison County
Published: October 26, 2008

It was with utter disbelief that I heard a recent radio endorsement from Sen. Jim Webb about Barack Obama protecting our Second Amendment rights. This is a complete misrepresentation and absolutely contradicts his voting record on gun control issues.

I have written to Sen. Webb previously regarding energy and the need for our country to use all of the resources available to us. He agreed that he favored harnessing all options and represented the interests of Virginians. Sadly, the Democratic-controlled Congress chose to ignore the wishes of the American people and hold us hostage to environmental concerns — first by refusing to vote on the issue, then by drafting meaningless legislation in a weak attempt at portraying action. There was no legitimate discussion of the issue. I heard no outrage from Sen. Webb, no urging of his party members to heed the citizens’ wishes, the very citizens who employ them. There was only silence.

Rep. Charles Rangel is mired in allegations of tax fraud, yet he would have me pay more. Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd are deeply involved in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac collapses. They were the regulators, but they were ruled by greed and favoritism and cost the taxpayers trillions of dollars. Again, silence from Sen. Webb.

In 2004, I waited for a viable alternative to George Bush from the Democratic Party and was presented with a candidate of extreme liberal views. Again, this year I would have been interested in a true alternative. I am presented with the most frightening candidate ever conceived — one who represents nothing of constitutional or American values and who seems likely to win only because he hides his true goals. I have seen enough of his position changes to know that truth has little value to him.

This is the man Sen. Webb endorses. Astonishing. The Democratic Party appears to have become a corrupt party of thugs. Voice your wishes, and you are ignored (unless you give generously); voice a different opinion, and you are attacked; excel, and you are punished.

I could not be more disappointed in my Senate representation. All I ask of my representatives is integrity and honesty. Apparently, that is asking too much.