Apples & Oranges

I’m starting to understand why the average American citizen throws up their hands in dismay and decides to put our process of government on ignore.  Even with an IQ over 150, I’m hard-pressed to follow the spiraling labyrinth that makes up getting anything done.  One bill, one subject up for consideration quickly becomes a spider’s web of amendments intended to address completely unrelated matters.

Here is but one example.  If your head isn’t spinning when you get to the end, do let us know just what drugs you’re on, ok?  (If you’re a Congress critter, don’t bother.  We already know what you’ve been drinking.)

S. 160:  111st Congress

2009-2010 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009

A bill to provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives.

Primary Source:  See S. 160 on THOMAS for the official source of information on this bill or resolution.

Amendments

(1) S.Amdt. 573 by Sen. DeMint [R-SC]
To prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the fairness doctrine.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Accepted: Feb 26, 2009.
Feb 26, 2009. Amendment SA 573 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 – 11. Record Vote Number: 71.

(2) S.Amdt. 574 by Sen. Kyl [R-AZ]
To provide for the expedited judicial review for Members of Congress.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Accepted: Feb 25, 2009.

(3) S.Amdt. 575 by Sen. Ensign [R-NV]
To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Accepted: Feb 26, 2009.
Feb 26, 2009. Amendment SA 575 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 62 – 36. Record Vote Number: 72.

(4) S.Amdt. 576 by Sen. Coburn [R-OK]
To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Withdrawn: Feb 26, 2009.

(5) S.Amdt. 577 by Sen. Coburn [R-OK]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(6) S.Amdt. 578 by Sen. Coburn [R-OK]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(7) S.Amdt. 579 by Sen. Thune [R-SD]
To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to allow citizens who have concealed carry permits from the State or the District of Columbia in which they reside to carry concealed firearms in another State or the District of Columbia that grants concealed carry permits, if the individual complies with the laws of the State or District of Columbia.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Withdrawn: Feb 26, 2009.
 
(8) S.Amdt. 580 by Sen. Coburn [R-OK]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(9) S.Amdt. 581 by Sen. Coburn [R-OK]
In the nature of a substitute.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Rejected: Feb 25, 2009.
Feb 25, 2009. Amendment SA 581 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 7 – 91. Record Vote Number: 68.

(10) S.Amdt. 582 by Sen. Feinstein [D-CA]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(11) S.Amdt. 583 by Sen. Feinstein [D-CA]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(12) S.Amdt. 584 by Sen. Feinstein [D-CA]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(13) S.Amdt. 585 by Sen. Kyl [R-AZ]
To provide for the retrocession of the District of Columbia to the State of Maryland, and for other purposes.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Rejected: Feb 26, 2009.
Feb 26, 2009. Amendment SA 585 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 30 – 67. Record Vote Number: 69.
 
(14) S.Amdt. 586 by Sen. Durbin [D-IL]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(15) S.Amdt. 587 by Sen. Ensign [R-NV]
To reauthorize the DC School Choice Incentive Act of 2003 for fiscal year 2010.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009. Withdrawn: Feb 26, 2009.
 
(16) S.Amdt. 588 by Sen. Martinez [R-FL]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(17) S.Amdt. 589 by Sen. Lautenberg [D-NJ]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(18) S.Amdt. 590 by Sen. Lautenberg [D-NJ]
Amendment information not available.
Proposed: Feb 25, 2009.

(19) S.Amdt. 591 by Sen. Durbin [D-IL]
To encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership, and to ensure that the public airwaves are used in the public interest.
Proposed: Feb 26, 2009. Accepted: Feb 26, 2009.
Feb 26, 2009. Amendment SA 591 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 – 41. Record Vote Number: 70.

 

Regardless the Constitutionality of giving the District of Columbia a voting say, why in the world are other matters such as gun control and final elimination of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” baked into this bill? 

I’ll tell you why.  It is using an issue (or few) that has a great deal of support to try to force the hands of Congress to swallow something they would otherwise prefer to not address. 

In the real world, we call it cheating.  The fine print that you are supposed to read before you sign that toxic loan.  And it is one of the big reasons our government is now quite literally dying of clinical obesity.

You want efficiency in government?  Cut out this crap.  Focus, people.  FOCUS.  Quit allowing red herrings and tangents, no matter how much you representatives think it’ll improve your image with the voters back home.  Trust me on this one – the more we see of this waste, the less likely you are to keep your job.

 

UPDATE:  Check here to find out if your Senator played along with the pork-based game shown in the above example.  If they have, take a few minutes to remind them that their participation in this kind of nonsense is being watched.  It’s the least you can do as their employer.