Obama told us when he was running for president that in the interest of “transparency” he would ensure that all legislation would be available to the public to read on the internet 5 days before the vote. Apparently Nancy Pelosi didn't get the memo. Or Henry Waxman. Pelosi will not give the public a week to review the final text of a health-care reform bill before it is voted on later this year. And Waxman likewise won’t commit to the 5 day timeframe.
And if past performance is any indication of future behavior, we can assume that legislators won’t deem it necessary to read it before voting either. So why would they think it necessary for you to read it?
How on earth have we come to a point where Congress thinks it’s OK to pass legislation that profoundly effects our lives and the social fabric of the country without so much as reading the damn bill? The House version of Cap and Trade was 1200 pages plus 300 pages of amendments thrown in at the eleventh hour. 1500 pages of legislative BS and not one - I guarantee you - of those Representatives has a clear understanding of what they voted for.
The arrogance of their claim of not having time to read the whole bill reflects a contemptuous attitude towards their job and their constituents. But it provides the cover of implausible deniability later when the crap (as in crap and trade) hits the fan. Like Chris Dodd with the AIG bonuses. “I knew nothing about it, except I voted for it before I voted against it. Or vice-versa.”
Why do we keep voting for these morons? Read my lips: no more incumbents.
