Another disgusting example of the broken legislative process

[Craig234]

Remember the one little bit of good news of not radical hostage taking we had recently of Republicans saying they would not threaten a shutdown to make demands for the March 'crisis'?

Well, not so fast. Thanks to Jon Stewart: amendments were snuck into the bill to pay for the government to September - which most in Congress didn't know about.

One was an amendment now in law to ban the government from passing restrictions on genetically modified crops - i.e., special interest legislation from Monsanto.

A second was adding bans against government passing some gun regulations - i.e., special interest legislation from the NRA.

As he then points out - who did this? - the amendments were added anonymously.

This is just outrageous that the process allows amendments to be added anonymously, making the giving of favors to special interests far easier without democratic accountability.

I wrote to my Congressional office about it (about to send it to Senators also.

You might want to do the same.

 

[Lithium381]

This is crap! Though it's easy to find out who it was, just look for the guy with the greasy palms! Then again, how is it possible to "sneak in" legislation? Don't our guys read stuff before they vote on it?

 

[Craig234]

This is crap! Though it's easy to find out who it was, just look for the guy with the greasy palms! Then again, how is it possible to "sneak in" legislation? Don't our guys read stuff before they vote on it?

The bill was so important (avoid a shutdown) and rushed through so fast (it'll shut down IN HOURS IF YOU DON'T PASS IT!), and big enough... it happens, and it shouldn't.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Well at least we got gun legislation.

 

[Fern]

-snip-
Well, not so fast. Thanks to Jon Stewart: amendments were snuck into the bill to pay for the government to September - which most in Congress didn't know about.

One was an amendment now in law to ban the government from passing restrictions on genetically modified crops - i.e., special interest legislation from Monsanto.

A second was adding bans against government passing some gun regulations - i.e., special interest legislation from the NRA.

As he then points out - who did this? - the amendments were added anonymously.

This is just outrageous that the process allows amendments to be added anonymously, making the giving of favors to special interests far easier without democratic accountability.

Yeah, I think it's outrageous too.

But I'm confused about what govt regulations are banned for GM crops and guns. I don't see how Congress can ban itself from passing further laws/regulations.

Does this ban just affect regulatory agencies?

Fern

 

[herm0016]

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/mpa.asp

 

[chucky2]

Imagine that: An all powerful entity (Fed) setting up its own system, governing its own system, and using its own system...beholden only to itself.. My, I just can't imagine what could go wrong with that. Hey, great idea! Lets make it bigger, give it more power, and, ever more money! I'm sure that'll make a great system even greater! :hmm:

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

One was an amendment now in law to ban the government from passing restrictions on genetically modified crops - i.e., special interest legislation from Monsanto.

Roy Blunt (R-Mo) gets the thanks for this one.
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/04/sen-roy-blunt-monsantos-man-washington

 

[Craig234]

Roy Blunt (R-Mo) gets the thanks for this one.
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/04/sen-roy-blunt-monsantos-man-washington

Thanks for the update, good catch and very good article.

Of course it's still a problem he could have remained anonymous if he wanted to.

 

[ivwshane]

Imagine that: An all powerful entity (Fed) setting up its own system, governing its own system, and using its own system...beholden only to itself.. My, I just can't imagine what could go wrong with that. Hey, great idea! Lets make it bigger, give it more power, and, ever more money! I'm sure that'll make a great system even greater! :hmm:

Or...or we could just, you know vote out the garbage and recognize garbage for what it is regardless of party.

That's a crazy idea though, it would require people to participate in the process.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Thanks for the update, good catch and very good article.

Of course it's still a problem he could have remained anonymous if he wanted to.

It's all the more bothersome that he doesn't feel the need to.

 

[ivwshane]

Roy Blunt (R-Mo) gets the thanks for this one.
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/04/sen-roy-blunt-monsantos-man-washington

Garbage, pure garbage.

 

[SMOGZINN]

The bill was so important (avoid a shutdown) and rushed through so fast (it'll shut down IN HOURS IF YOU DON'T PASS IT!), and big enough... it happens, and it shouldn't.

These things are not done on accident. They wait until the last second to put these things forward on purpose. It is all part of 'reasonable deniability'.

You want to write congress about something, write them about passing budgetary continuations in a timely manner instead of waiting until literally the last second.
It is incredible how much money the federal government wastes because they have to prepare for a shutdown 4 times a year.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Or...or we could just, you know vote out the garbage and recognize garbage for what it is regardless of party.

That's a crazy idea though, it would require people to participate in the process.

It would also just get replaced by more garbage.

 

[Craig234]

These things are not done on accident. They wait until the last second to put these things forward on purpose. It is all part of 'reasonable deniability'.

You want to write congress about something, write them about passing budgetary continuations in a timely manner instead of waiting until literally the last second.
It is incredible how much money the federal government wastes because they have to prepare for a shutdown 4 times a year.

I don't see much point to writing about that one. They know public opinion. It's Republicans manufacturig crises to use for political reasons. They won't stop over letters.

If I had any Republican representatives, I could write them, but I don't, thankfully.

And I have contacted Republicans elsewhere on occassion, but they don't listen much to people who don't vote there, not that they listen much to voters.

 

[ivwshane]

It would also just get replaced by more garbage.

I think in the short term it would but in the long term it would be better. Case in point; in the 2010 elections I think people were tired of government and they saw the tea party as a viable alternative, unfortunately what they got was much worse. In the 2012 election people paid much more attention and soundly, either voted out the crazies, or didn't let them get past the primaries. Afte a couple more "serious" elections things will be back to normal and a better government will return.

 

[Craig234]

I think in the short term it would but in the long term it would be better. Case in point; in the 2010 elections I think people were tired of government and they saw the tea party as a viable alternative, unfortunately what they got was much worse. In the 2012 election people paid much more attention and soundly, either voted out the crazies, or didn't let them get past the primaries. Afte a couple more "serious" elections things will be back to normal and a better government will return.

You're optimistinc.

I think it's more likely that the Republican tactic of obstructionism will pay off. They'll break government and get people to blame Democrats for that and reward the obstructionists.

The ever increasing role of big money in elections makes this more likely. Nevermind the voter suppression, gerrymandering and other anti-democracy policies.