Would it kill you to read something?

By Contributor Archive

Filed Under Congress, General on Jul 9 

As a kid growing up in Phoenix there was not much to do in the summer. After all, you could only fry so many eggs on the sidewalk before Mom noticed them missing from the fridge. And although we were all adept at swimming and spent coutless hours in the pool, mother could often be heard saying, “Would it kill you to read something?”

Fast forward to now:

I think it’s safe to assume that most of us, no matter what our political leaning can agree on one fact: politicians are arrogant. The latest news that politicians are arrogant should come as no surprise to any of you.

What do these two things have to do with anything, let alone each other? I’m here to explain.

“House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that the health-care reform bill now pending in Congress would garner very few votes if lawmakers actually had to read the entire bill before voting on it.”

Wow! WOW! What arrogance on his part, and all of their parts, thankyouvermuch! Imagine that, pet legislation not getting the votes it needs to pass if people really knew what was in it. Perhaps, that’s because most of the legislation that has come out of Washington in the last year has stunk on ice?

Mr Hoyer went on to say, ” ‘[I] find the idea of the pledge [to read the Bills going thru Congress] humorous’, laughing as he responded to the question. ‘I’m laughing because a) I don’t know how long this bill is going to be, but it’s going to be a very long bill.’ “

Well maybe the bills shouldn’t be so long, so that the members of Congress have time to read them? And perhaps you should step out of your ivory tower Mr Hoyer and remember the legislation you don’t read, but pass into law affects the lives of people in big ways. It’s not asking too much that you and your colleagues take the time to read what you’re imposing on the rest of us.

As of today only four members of Congress have signed this pledge. It’s a sad commentary on the state of things when there has to be a petition to get our leaders to do what common sense should have them do in the first place — read the bill!! (See also Read The Bill for more information on HR 554, which would ammend the rules of the House to require that Bills get a read thru before a vote on).

As Mother would say, “Would it kill you to read something?” No Mother I don’t think it would.

Comments

  • http://www.lowest-rate-loans.com POPERoxanne32

    I opine that to receive the loans from banks you must present a great reason. Nevertheless, one time I’ve got a financial loan, because I wanted to buy a building.

  • Troy La Mana

    That statement alone should be enough for the good citizens of Maryland to vote the bum out.

    • http://nonangrypoliticalwoman.blogspot.com treen

      Would that I still lived in Maryland …

      • Troy La Mana

        I’m a Baltimore native.

        • Red State Eddio

          Sorry guys, it’s now the Peoples Republic of Maryland.

          Dems like Steny are a lock unless they are deemed incompetent by the Party. I’m right there with you, but I don’t live there now anymore either.

  • Lizzy

    2010 throw the bums OUT

  • kristen

    What?! Make politicians actually read? C’mon; they’re too busy campaigning, finding pork projects, accusing the CIA of lying, talking to lobbyists, etc.

    What’s sad is that this is probably how many ridiculous and asinine laws have been passed. Heaven forbid our politicians should actually do their job.

  • ABNormal

    Why are people acting high and mighty?

    Most people don’t research the voting record and legislation of candidates…why should politicians do research?

    Research is unAmerican…the internet (now) says so.

    • East of Eden

      Hey thanks for telling us about the internet….anyone up for an American Idol-Wipeout-Real Housewives of Somewhere-Sponge Bob marathon? ;)

  • http://nonangrypoliticalwoman.blogspot.com treen

    Have you heard of the Sunlight Foundation? They’re trying to get the 72-hour rule for posting bills online actually made into law. They’re up to about 12,000 signatures on their petition and are shooting for 15,000.

    Homepage: http://www.sunlightfoundation.com
    Petition: http://www.readthebill.org

    • East of Eden

      I’ve singed on at Read the Bill, but have not heard of the Sunlight. Thanks for the heads up Treen.

      • http://www.sunlightfoundation.com Nisha Thompson

        Thanks for supporting Read the Bill!

        Treen: Thanks for the shoutout!

        The Sunlight Foundation strives to use internet technology to make government processes and actors more transparent and accountable.

        Again thanks for the support! We are working on all kinds of projects to bring the government into the 21st Century and into the hands of the people!

        Nisha Thompson
        Online Organizer
        Sunlight Foundation
        nthompson(at)sunlightfoundation(dot)com

  • Red State Eddio

    I’d love to throw my “large print” edition at Steny just to remind him who’s being affected by his ridiculous attitude.

  • Sartho

    I had an econ teacher in high school who said the government’s approach to passing legislation to fix things, whether the economy or something else, was “Good enough is best.” And I’m not so sure that even “good enough” is a reasonable description for our current congress and administration.

    Not even reading the laws you’re considering, and he can be this smug about it? It’s like we’re idiots for even thinking it’s stupid not to? Man!

    • East of Eden

      I think that’s what bugs me the most. He just laughed at the question like it was no big deal. Well, it is a big deal to a lot of people, and they have totally forgotten that.

  • Eric

    “It’s a sad commentary on the state of things…”

    What? You mean that instead of hanging their heads in shame that they don’t read the bills, they openly admit to the fact that they do not, embracing a system which fosters and encourages deceit, ignorance and corruption?

    You obviously have unrealistic expectations of our nation’s legislators.

    • East of Eden

      I know, I know….silly me!!