Lawmakers, read your bills!

To the editor:

Today’s generation in Congress could learn much from the late Idaho Republican Sen. James A. McClure who passed away on Feb. 26, 2011. His claim to fame on Capitol Hill was that for 18 years, he read every word of every bill before voting on it. For many years, he signed his own mail. 

Fast forward to today. Did members of Congress take an Evelyn Wood speed reading class to absorb the 1,603 pages contained in the $1.1 trillion dollar spending bill to avoid a government shut down? They only received these with very little time before being asked to vote up or down. Only lobbyists and key congressional staff members employed by the House and Senate leadership teams who actually wrote the fine print within the 1,603 pages on behalf of their bosses had any idea of the details buried in the actual contents. 

There should be a seven-day minimum time-out period. This would provide adequate time for members of any legislative body, but also ordinary citizens, the media and independent good government watchdog groups the opportunity to understand all of the contents contained in any proposed bill. Everyone would also have the opportunity under an open process to comment and discuss the merits or consequences before others vote up or down for adoption. 

Ditto for reading the thousands of daily automated robo letters sent to constituents, who have taken their own personal time to write. Liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, we would all be better off if Congress members would the take time to actually read, line by line, and openly debate in public any proposed legislation before voting. Their legislative actions impact both our economic and civil liberties. Future generations have to pay for and live with the consequences.

Sincerely, 

Larry Penner