Required Reading

I'm not going to name any specific examples here, but more astute readers will probably know what I'm thinking of. I have a question to pose. Am I the alone in thinking that a lawmaker should actually read a bill before voting on it?

It seems like there ought to be a law for that. Don't vote on a bill if you haven't at least skimmed it on your lunch break. I understand that these bills can get so long they come with their own research librarian, and that's before you load them down with pork. I understand that those bills have to be some of the most boring reading on Earth. I really do get that. But you know what? It's your job, plain and simple. Yeah, it sucks, but that's what you're getting those inordinately large paychecks for. We didn't elect you to smile in front of cameras, defend other members of your political party, or spend your entire term running for reelection. We elected you to write bills and to vote on bills. You wanted the power, this is the price.

Nobody's expecting you to memorize these things. This isn't school, we don't need you to quote sections of it by rote. But you should understand what's in this bill your colleague is proposing. Don't vote for it just because one of your guys wrote it. Certainly don't vote against it just because one of the other guys wrote it. That's High School nonsense, and you're supposed to be beyond that by now. And don't stick to party lines and then whine when the other guy does the same thing. That might fool the people who just show up at rallies to be told things they want to hear. But those of us who are paying attention notice it, and it's not winning you any points.

Once again, because this bears repeating. No one's expecting you to memorize the whole thing, but you should at least understand it. When I go to vote, there's usually a proposal or two that I'm asked to voice my opinion on. When those come up, I read them carefully. Then I read them again, because I usually didn't understand it the first time. Then I read it a third time, to make sure I get it. Yes, it's boring. Yes, there's other stuff I'd rather be doing. But you know what? It's my civic duty, and I take that seriously.

Oh and one more thing. If you don't read it, don't go on news and try to defend yourself by saying "Have you seen the size of that thing? Do you actually expect me to read the whole thing?"

Yes, Mr. or Ms. Member of Congress, that's exactly what we expect you to do. It's your job.

-Long Days and Pleasant Nights