Monday, February 5, 2018
Thoughts and Prayers and N.R.A Funding
In class, we discussed different incentives for actions that take place in different economic systems. Some decisions we make are because of moral reasons, in the U.S we would never walk into our neighbors house and steal food out of their fridge because it is not socially acceptable and would most likely be considered rude. On the other hand, however, morality is not always taken into account when people make decisions. This short article lists the top 10 career recipients of N.R.A. funding. Current House and and Senate members words and actions seem to contradict each other as they give thoughts and prayers to the victims of the Las Vegas shooting but refrain from changing current gun laws in any way, as they are receiving generous donations from the N.R.A. John McCain is at the top of the list, stating “Cindy & I are praying for the victims of the terrible #LasVegasShooting & their families.” while simultaneously having received $7,740,521 from the N.R.A. No one can determine another persons true incentives, but this article leaves readers to ponder just where in fact the line can be drawn between moral and profitable decisions, and additionally, how these decisions can effect not only the economy but the people living within it.
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3 comments:
The fact that these politicians are receiving so much funding from the N.R.A is completely mind blowing as sums that large can easily sway someone's vote on a bill, even though you would hope morally they would side with attempting to save innocent lives. I stay optimistic that regulations become tighter to restrict political recipients from receiving funding from organizations such as the N.R.A.
As we have talked about in class, lobbying is an important part of how our economic system functions, and how everyone's voice can be heard in the midst of the government/market interaction. From behavioral economics we can see that once a monetary payment is introduced into a social setting, the relationship becomes like that of a market exchange. And, from what we have learned in class, the market is logical and unforgiving.
I agree that lobbying is very important in both the governmental system and economic system, and I also agree that the market is logical and unforgiving. However, I think it is absurd that these two truths prevent the government from taking what could be relatively simple steps that could save lives. Personally, I think there should be limits on both lobby's ability to fund campaigns and bills, just as there (okay, in my opinion) should be limits on PAC spending and lobby spending during elections. I don't think market principles and limiting gun use/ownership have to be mutually exclusive, I think the government should step in slowly and surely until the quantity of deaths directly caused by guns has significantly decreased.
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