Ted Rall for October 14, 2013
October 11, 2013
October 15, 2013
Transcript:
How a bill becomes a law-updated. A congressman or senator gets elected by promising to fix a problem. (Man: I will!!) Once elected, he comes up with a watered-down half-measure. Corporate lobbyists write up a bill. (Man: Everyone is at the negotiating table: Big business, me, and big business lawyers.) Even with 100% support, it doesn't get voted on unless Boehner says so. It must clear the hurdle of the invisible filibuster. When the minority opposes it by expressing the willingness to talk it to death, it dies- although they don't actually have to talk. No one actually reaps it. Yay! It passed! But it becomes neutered if the president issues a "Signing statement" that says he's signing the bill into law, but won't enforce it. If it's a law, it doesn't do anything unless Congress votes to appropriate funding for it. And if it's in the budget, it doesn't matter if Congress doesn't vote to raise the debt limit. (Man: Best system ever!
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
“Best System Ever”Wait… we’re not talking about the ACA anymore, are we?
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
To drive home Ted’s point, the House GOP passed a rule shortly before the shutdown that prevents anyone but the majority leader (Eric Cantor) from calling a vote on the Senate’s budget bill.
neatslob Premium Member over 10 years ago
The House passes a bill and sends it to the Senate. The Senate makes changes and sends it back to the House.
eugene57 over 10 years ago
MStevenson58 said, about 4 hours agoAfter the ‘revolution’: the constitution is deemed illegal. Revolutionaries go door to door to confiscate guns and use them to kill the owner and their families. All independent thought is outlawed. The taliban eventually takes over America. Republicans having gotten their wish are soon shot as too reactionary.
Enoki over 10 years ago
Of course no one in Congress reads a bill they are mostly a bunch of illiterate liars… err,… lawyers. I always get those two mixed up…
lonecat over 10 years ago
I got to your link no problem. It’s an important article. Nothing very new, but often ignored. Now the question is What do we do about it?
echoraven over 10 years ago
Good link, but no solutions.
cjr53 over 10 years ago
I agree with these 7 changes. I would imagine that there is some hope after all if I agree with Ansonia. To date, that hasn’t been possible.
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
Correct my if i’m wrong, but don’t budget bills have to originate in the House? So, how can they vote on anything coming from the senate?Both Chambers can & do draft their own bills. Usually the House votes it’s bill first, then sends it to the Senate for a vote or alterations.The House passed the spending bill which also included their roll back of the ACA. The Senate took up the House Bill, tore off the part about the ACA & passed it. That version should be put up for a vote in the House. Instead Boehner claimed the votes weren’t there & shutdown the government.
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
20 days to run for officecampaign finances need major reform, but 20 days is not enough time for voters or the few honest journalists left to get a complete picture of the candidates.I think the bigger problems are in the primaries. New faces are discouraged & anyone who bucks their party is targeted for replacement.
Randolph Larrabee over 10 years ago
Am I the only one that thinks the President signing a bill but not enforcing it is unconstitutional?