I am writing in regard to the special news report that just aired on television. What a sad day for the United States of America and all its citizens.

The Senate blocked the vote for expanded background checks on guns, while the victims and families of the Newtown shooting, and Gabrielle Giffords, and many others stood in the balcony, and watched 46 percent of the Senate vote it down.

How does a majority — 54 percent — of the Senate vote for the legislation for expanded background checks, and a minority — 46 percent — vote against it and it doesn’t pass? That’s politics.

Loopholes, lobbyists and money — that’s what it all boils down to. It has nothing to do with protecting the Second Amendment, and everything to do with intimidation and lies.

Those senators who did this ought to be ashamed of themselves. I thought our government was for the people, by the people. It’s time for us to speak up, and talk to our representatives and our senators. Washington needs a wake-up call.

Elected officials should remember they work for us, the people who voted them in. I am starting to wonder how big of a buyout exists in Washington. And I am not talking about President Barack Obama. The truths that are being told are not coming from the Republican side of the aisle.

The president told us exactly what happened in the Senate, and anyone who thinks differently is buying into the lies. We do not live in a time when the Second Amendment was written, things are very different now, and we all need to adapt.

Lisa Michaud

Vassalboro