Studio BeauMar 30, 2023
Rep. Ritchie Torres

As I told Mika and Joe on MSNBC, I have a message for my Republican colleagues who pretend to be powerless to prevent gun violence and mass shootings:

If you’re not in Congress to protect public safety and protect children from mass murder, then what are you here for?

Mar 29, 2023 at 10:22pmWeb
Show threadSharonMMar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres to destroy democracy
Show threadAT-AT Assault 🏳️‍⚧️Mar 29, 2023

@SharonM @RitchieTorres

Yep. Conservativism is akin to fascism. The very WORD of conservatism goes back to when, after the bloody revolution, early 1800's France was debating how/if to restructure government. The people who wanted to **conserve** the monarchy and aristocracy sat in the **right-wing** of the chamber, and those against in the left-wing of the chamber.

Conservatism, by its very nature, is authoritarian and oppressive. Examine the broad way the Republican party (and remember, the ideologies switched names about 70 to 90 years ago, so before that, the conservative Democrat Party) votes and legislates, and it's always been to give more power and wealth to those who already had wealth and power over other people.

Show threadGregory HaysMar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres They're here to cut rich people's taxes again some more—oh, sorry, was that a rhetorical question?
Show threadLee 🌏Mar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres
If you’re not able to protect public safety and protect children from mass murder, then please step down and let someone who is able take your job.
Show threadNatsura  ​Mar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres We need referendums in which the People can vote on the laws the Federal and State governments want to pass! So that way we can hold politicians on both sides accountable outside of the elections
Show threadGeorge Liquor, AmericanMar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres I could come up with a dozen reasons Republican are in Congress, but not a single reason that involves actually helping all Americans
Show threadDarwin WoodkaMar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres the grift, duh
Show threadTecnología, Media y NerdosMar 29, 2023
@RitchieTorres Nicely said, Sir!
Show threadOtownKimMar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres You are SO right!! But the unfortunate answer is pretty clear. They answer to Special Interest and the highest bidder!!!
Show threadDr. Brad Rosenheim has moved!Mar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres They're there for the money.
Show threadlolonurseMar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres
To line their pockets & make "important" connections, to keep themselves comfortable & relevant after they're voted out.
Show threadDaisy Doo & TuxieGirl BettyMar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres
They're "here for the grift".
Show threadgeoffreygevaltMar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres I so appreciate this message. Please do not get me wrong.
But.
EVERY HOUR in this country 11 people die from drug overdoses. Eight of them from opioids.
I think it's the obligation of EVERY congressman to protect the safety of the public, of ALL its citizens.
YES, mass shootings are a catastrophe.
YES not doing anything is, at best, amoral.
BUT what of the drug deaths. What of this violent scourge? We need to stop judging, stop criminalizing and start helping.
Show threadLady ArtemisMar 30, 2023

@gg @RitchieTorres

More people die from alcohol than opiods in the USA. Just a general reminder to the world that alcohol is a drug too.

Show threadgavinisdie Mar 30, 2023
@missladyartemis @gg @RitchieTorres honestly I feel we need to ban alcohol again (coming from someone who has dealt with alcoholics)
Show threadLady ArtemisMar 30, 2023

@gavinisdie @gg @RitchieTorres

Prohibition in the USA didn't stop alcohol use and abuse. It created a whole new layer of crime. Things like education, and healthcare, and bringing families out of poverty, and putting an end to the prevalent myth that alcohol is not a drug as bad or worse than any other drug, and mandatory mental health classes/training for all (everyone is already required certain schooling) - these things would help a lot more than prohibition.

Show threadCat WestMar 30, 2023

@gg @RitchieTorres @fonecokid So, let’s play a game. One says this is important. Other says sure, but you’re ignoring this. 3rd realizes that the list of important issues is miles long and abandons the conversation.

Concerns are genuine but piggybacking yours on theirs while trying to override theirs is a way to accomplish nothing for either— and that my friends is the goal. Nobody wins. I did not get you wrong. I see right through you.

Show threadskuaMar 30, 2023

@RitchieTorres
Edit:
Hoped I was seeing a Republican who doesn't act as a pawn of the NRA and whose publically expressed views aren't decided by #FoxNews.
But I wasn't.

Rep. Torres is a Democrat who serves NY's 15th congressional district in the South Bronx area.

Good anyway seeing a member of the USA Congress posting on Mastodon.
And posting good stuff too.
#MemberOfCongressUSA
#RitchieTorres #WhatAreYouHereFor #AMorePerfectUnion #SecondAmendment

Show threadgavinisdie Mar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres seemingly to do the opposite
Show threadRevJeberMar 30, 2023
@RitchieTorres
The power and the benefits, that’s all.