Republicans’ "Thoughts and Prayers" Are a Cruel Joke

Whenever a mass shooting occurs, Republicans are quick to offer "thoughts and prayers" which translates to "we are not going to do anything to stop these events." Sadly, gun lobby money and appeasing an increasingly toxic and knuckle dragging party base are more important than passing legislation that might actually reduce the increasingly regular carnage. The worse hypocrisy, of course, when Trump offers "thoughts and prayers" after inciting extremist followers to vent their hate and suggests violence against those with opposing views or different skin color.  A column in the Washington Post looks at this cruel joke that is the norm in today's GOP. Here are excerpts:

Back-to-back massacres in El Paso and Dayton kill 31. Cue the thoughts and prayers!

“Melania and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers,” tweeted President Trump, who vows to veto gun control.

“Elaine’s and my prayers go out to the victims,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who blocks votes on gun control.

Do they not realize that “thoughts and prayers” has become a meme, a cynical punchline conveying inaction on guns? It’s what people say when they plan to do nothing.

Republicans’ reflexive response to the endless massacres has become a cruel joke, as effective as a Hallmark sympathy card. They seem to realize how weak it sounds: CNN reported that it invited 50 Republican lawmakers to talk about the shootings; only one accepted. Democrats mentioned thoughts and prayers too — as insufficient. Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.) complained: “My Republican colleagues cut and paste the words ‘thoughts and prayers’ into a tweet and then do nothing on gun violence.”

Trump proposed action, tweeting Monday in support of “strong background checks.” But, as after Parkland, Fla., he quickly dropped the idea, omitting it from his on-camera remarks.  Instead: More thoughts and prayers!

Trump, who last week shared the sentiment that “DEMOCRATS ARE THE TRUE ENEMIES OF AMERICA,” said “now is the time to set destructive partisanship aside.”

Eventually, disgusted Americans will force Republicans to act. Until then, here’s a thought: We don’t have a prayer.

Vote Democrat whenever possible.  Send your "thoughts and prayers" to the GOP.