Maybe it's not POLITICAL or FINANCIAL cowardice. . . .

[annabanana]

Maybe votes against a background check are actual fear of their lives. The wackos on the right are not shy about threatening people who don't like what they like.

I'm sure I would be afraid to wade into Rachel's emails, for instance... Imagine how much worse the level of vitriol must be in the inboxes of legislators.

[magellan]

1. If so then it's over

If the far right can force Congress to do whatever it likes by threatening their lives, then there's no point in voting or phoning or protesting anymore.

[GoCubsGo]

2. I'm sure there is some of that going on.

But, I think these assholes fear losing their jobs and financial perks that come with it far more. Although, some of them (the members of the teabagger wing) actually oppose the background checks for ideological reasons. I'm sure they get threats on their lives all the time, so I don't think they're suddenly intimidated.

[lunatica]

3. I suspect a lot of the old timer Republicans are retiring for that reason

among other. But the hate stuff is really rampant, thanks to the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.