That leads me to my own situation. On many occasions I have been asked to vote on something I simply have not read because I received it just moments before a vote. In some cases I might get something that was sent in email late Tuesday, by the time I have a chance to download it, it's Wednesday night, and I'm asked to vote on Thursday, thus, no opportunities to deliberate thoughts with myself or others, let alone with attorneys or subject matter experts. In most cases, I will vote Nay simply because I will not vote for something I did not have ample time to read. Unless there are meetings going on outside of the scheduled, posted Thursday night meetings, our board simply votes blindly, which I think is irresponsible and that is what I feel the U.S. House did lat night.
I know what it's like first hand to be up there to vote and I have not read or fully comprehended its content; maybe I have questions; maybe I feel alternatives should be considered and yet, so many times ordinances and other issues get passed by our board and the same has happened with our House. I know the House procedures are much more complex than local government, but to an extent...there is still the basic processes...read the proposed bills and become fully educated on them: ask pertinent questions; oppose portions you and your constituents do not agree with—vote Nay if you do not support the bill and Aye if you do, but at least know what is in the bill in its entirety. Remember the pork in the stimulus bill? That's how that stuff gets through—you stick it alongside in hopes no one catches it or gives in for the good of the whole bill.
I think it will be interesting to see what happens in the Senate with the bill that was passed. No doubt it will be a highly discussed topic and many Americans are counting on it passing while many Americans are counting on it not passing. With such division, what will happen?
Today's Daily Herald online stories:
House passes narrowly passes bill
Melissa Bean has no comments at this time
