A Bitter Pill to Swallow

The lunatics are running the asylum, and they're sneaking their meds into our water in the hopes that we won't notice.

Our elected officials have gone stark-raving mad. As punch drunk on power as they are deficient of reasoning they are conducting themselves in a manner that would get anyone else fired, or committed, or both. In an effort to pass numerous pieces of legislation that would have a significant impact on the lives of the American people both the House and Senate's legislative sneakrecy has been exposed like an ugly flasher on a sunny afternoon.

I am referring, of course, to the prompt and utter squelching of recent attempts in both legislative branches to stop the runaway train of legislation that is bearing down on the rights of the American people faster than you can say, "transparency in government". Both a House petition to force a vote requiring all non-emergency legislation to be posted online, in its final form, 72 hours prior to a vote and a Senate ammendment requiring a 72-hour waiting period and a full cost estimate, and publication of the bill on the internet, before the final committee vote on the proposed health care overhaul bill were soundly, and predictably. defeated. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus explained that it would take his committee staff two weeks to post the bill online, far too lengthy a wait in his estimation for an issue that requires urgent and immediate action.

Is he serious? Do he, and his ilk, really expect us to buy this cow-chip cherry on the manure sundae?

The message to the American people from the bulk of their public servants - the Senators and Congresspeople that work for them - is abundantly clear. Our elected officials don't think we have any right to be informed as to the specifics of the laws they are voting on. Laws that may irrevocably change the quality of our lives for the worse, cost us enough money to keep us down economically, and otherwise demoralize our sense of liberty and need to be heard and informed.

Of course, proponents of sweeping changes in our health care system, cap-and-trade legislation to combat global warming (insert hysterical laughter here), bailouts for failing institutions, and the like will vigorously defend the need for such things. But the rest of us understand that it's a lot like wearing a blindfold while grocery shopping and preparing a meal with your subsequent purchases. You won't know exactly what you've picked up until after you've paid for it, gotten it home, and cooked it.

Fetuccini with Alpo sauce, anyone?