Our Favorite Pro-Gun Democrats
Congressman John Dingell (Michigan)
Shortly before his retirement in 2015, "Big John" Dingell became the longest serving member of Congress in American history. It wasn't easy, though. The Republicans regularly tried to gerrymander his district in order to get rid of him, but John just kept on winning.
Although he infuriated some party regulars with his more conservative perspective on gun rights, Congressman Dingell was a favorite among Democratic legislators and a stalwart in his support of core Democratic principles: He never wavered in his support of workers and the middle class, and was not afraid to take on the rich and powerful special interests that continue to fight the values and goals of the average hard-working American. John was a strong supporter of Social Security, Medicare, organized labor, the minimum wage, civil rights, and clean water; and he was a frequent critic of the so-called free trade agreements as promoted by Republicans and business lobbying organizations.
 (image from politico.com)
In addition, we like to remind Citizens that after each of his election victories, and at the start of every Congress he served in, John sponsored legislation to establish a universal health insurance program to cover all Americans. He was a proud supporter of the Affordable Care Act and never stopped trying to improve upon it (although to no avail after the Republicans took control of the House in 2010).
During his last half dozen years in Congress, a regular target of John's ire were the pair of terrible Supreme Court decisions on political campaign financing. In those decisions, the conservative majority ruled that a) corporations are people and b) unlimited campaign contributions made by a small number of Americans (and foreigners, also!) to buy our elections is just "free speech".
In 2005, the Congressman's friends and colleagues took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate John's 50th year in Congress. At that dinner celebration, Bill Clinton was one of the speakers and he joked that "Presidents come and Presidents go, but John Dingell goes on forever." Would that it was so but, following the old adage that all good things must come to an end, Congressman Dingell passed away in 2019 at age 92.
It was only then that Donald Trump decided to start attacking John. A true tough guy, Congressman Dingell knew a cowardly bully when he saw one and would have made mincemeat out of Mr. Trump. Donald knew it too, which is why he waited until after John's death before he started aiming his usual cheap shots John's way.
 (image from usatoday.com)
Whether or not you are familiar with John Dingell and his record in the House, we heartily recommend his 2018 memoir "The Dean: The Best Seat in the House." It is a rollicking tale of John's life as only he can tell it and leaves you wishing we had more men and women like John Dingell in public life today.
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