Why are some bills passed late at night with few there to vote on it? (seriously)

[Liberator21]

In an unrelated post about Amazon Prime, I inquired as to why I now had to pay taxes on purchases made from Amazon.com. I was informed that it was my state (Oklahoma), not Amazon requiring the sales tax.

After looking it up, sure enough HB2359 was passed in June that requires me to do just that.

What was discomforting though, was the way this measure was passed on the house floor. Apparently it was late at night with only the lobbyist for the bill and a few others present, and some of them didn't even know what was going on. Why does this happen?

I'm thinking now, is this how our legislative body works? It seems like a sneaky, underhanded way to do things, let alone make decisions that effect a whole state or country. Am I wrong with this view? I know an argument might be "the legislators are incredibly swamped and cannot be there for every little thing".. but to that I say "Isn't that their job?"

EDIT: Yeah, it sucks I have to pay sales tax but that's not what I'm railing about. The process, if it indeed works in this fashion, is far more dangerous as a method to pass law with relatively little opposition.

 

[dainthomas]

I thought there had to be a quorum, but I'm obviously wrong. So messed up.

 

[spidey07]

Your state saw the opportunity for massive amounts of sales tax. Of course they didn't want any debate and just wanted it passed. Write your state reps and give them hell.

To be fair however you were supposed to be paying this tax all along. These laws are just forcing internet merchants to collect it for you.

 

[werepossum]

New Egg charges Tennessee sales tax, and I have no problem paying it. Even though I'm a pretty anti-tax guy, sales taxes are my preferred method of funding government.

 

[bamacre]

New Egg charges Tennessee sales tax, and I have no problem paying it. Even though I'm a pretty anti-tax guy, sales taxes are my preferred method of funding government.

That is because they have distribution centers in TN.

 

[dennilfloss]

No quorum needed? That's so wrong...

 

[Bateluer]

This is why there's so much disgust towards Congress right now, because they've been pulling this crap for years. People are getting sick of being ignored and talked down to by politicians who believe they know better.

 

[kranky]

I don't know why a legislature has to be so busy that they have to pass bills in the middle of the night. Why is it the norm that they have to pass so many laws anyway?

In PA a few years ago, the legislature passed themselves a big pay raise in the middle of the night and it caused quite a stink. The voters actually booted some very high profile people at the next election.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

This is why there's so much disgust towards Congress right now, because they've been pulling this crap for years. People are getting sick of being ignored and talked down to by politicians who believe they know better.

It's not just Congress. It's State governments too.
They see this as a way of legally voting on something and passing it. I know in Texas when they vote there is a button on their desk/table that they push to vote.
If I can find the video of it again, there is video of people hitting multiple buttons around them. If someone isn't there, or hell even if they are there and aren't looking someone else steals the vote. It's fucking disgusting.
It might be slower, but I think every vote from the city level up should be done on a piece of paper that makes a carbon copy for the voter to keep in his/her record. Then you randomly take vote cards that have been turned in and audit them against the voters records.

 

[werepossum]

That is because they have distribution centers in TN.

Yes, but my point was that I could order from other online Etailers and thus avoid that sales tax. It's a tax I don't mind paying whether or not an Etailer HAS to collect it.

 

[bamacre]

Yes, but my point was that I could order from other online Etailers and thus avoid that sales tax. It's a tax I don't mind paying whether or not an Etailer HAS to collect it.

Personally, I just shop at ZZF or Ewiz instead. Fuck taxes.

 

[werepossum]

Personally, I just shop at ZZF or Ewiz instead. Fuck taxes.

Understood, but I like the things government affords me, within reason. I attended government school and government university, went under the knife in hospitals partially funded by government, drive on reasonably nice government roads, and am backed up by government cops and even armed forces should I need them. Therefore I choose to fund government even where it is possible to dodge taxes. And for reasons of freedom and fairness I much prefer government funded by sales tax - which I can largely avoid by denying myself stuff if I can't afford it - than the system whereby government merely decides how much of my income it wants to take off the top.

 

[bamacre]

Understood, but I like the things government affords me, within reason. I attended government school and government university, went under the knife in hospitals partially funded by government, drive on reasonably nice government roads, and am backed up by government cops and even armed forces should I need them. Therefore I choose to fund government even where it is possible to dodge taxes. And for reasons of freedom and fairness I much prefer government funded by sales tax - which I can largely avoid by denying myself stuff if I can't afford it - than the system whereby government merely decides how much of my income it wants to take off the top.

Well, having bought and sold Dell systems for 5 years, I figure, through Dell, I've paid enough in sales taxes to support the state.

 

[Nemesis 1]

For ans. to OP question. Google Wilson and how The Federal bank got back in power.
Federal bank isn't federal its private and Rothschild is its head . Cut the head off the snake and its body will die . I really like David De Rothschilds Jesus Christ look alike act.
If I had a Rothschild in a locked room with myself only 1 would come out alive . FACT!

 

[werepossum]

Well, having bought and sold Dell systems for 5 years, I figure, through Dell, I've paid enough in sales taxes to support the state.

LOL I wouldn't disagree with that. Sales tax is high, but at least we don't have a state income tax!

 

[Nemesis 1]

Heres some new taxes to think about . If you think we can stop this . Not. Time will stop it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ahWHbUVVU&p=7F33AD63B9FF09BC&playnext=1&index=22

Notice he is talking to elite people not you or I . Infact he is talking to The people who profitted from all the waste and toxins they sold to the masses. The ignorant masses.
Now they want us to pay for what they profitted on . This is real world this is how they do business . Rest assurred these people everyone in that room will soon be dead God willing , It can't happen soon enough. For me having stated such is also a sin . But to fight fire with fire God has made exceptions to the rule, Prophits who have authority from God to pronounce these evil peoples fate . Once written and stated can't change and it will be done.