DownsizeDC.org - A Daily Blog

[sarah]

Howdy everyone, I've been reading the Downsize DC blog daily for quite some time now, and I think it may be helpful to some of you.

The common theme is smaller government, and they have some great ideas on how to get us moving in that direction. There are also usually email form letters you can send, and they make it super easy!

You can read the daily posts online (http://www.downsizedc.org/) or have them sent to your email (http://www.downsizedc.org/page/newsletter). (I have the email option, it's good reading while watching the Los Angeles news, waiting in line at the grocery store, or just procrastinating work!)

I find it a great way to keep up with some of the big issues these days. Hope you enjoy it :)

[OU812]

Cool website. I really like their "One Subject At A Time" bill.

I can’t believe this is even legal...


Congress routinely passes unpopular laws by combining them with completely unrelated bills that have majority support. For example . . .

The REAL ID Act, which was designed to create a national ID card, had so little support in the Senate that it couldn't even be brought to a vote. A national ID card was opposed by a majority of the Senate, and historically, by the vast majority of the American people, but now it is the law of the land.

How did this happen?

It happened because House and Senate leaders attached the REAL ID Act to legislation the Senate was afraid to oppose, the "Emergency, Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief." (May, 2005)

Senators didn't want to vote against a defense appropriation, or Tsunami relief, so the REAL ID Act became the law of the land.

[inVERt'D]

I can’t believe this is even legal...

It's business as usual. Another common practice is to insert ambiguous wording into legislation so that it can be used differently than was represented when passed. Such phrases are called "jokers."

I'll have to check that site out. Thanks, Sarah.

[sarah]

Sa-weet :D

[Ol Man]

That's how the Cash for Clunkers got passed. Added to the Military funding bill. Nice way to run a business, huh?

"Words, just words"