Sword and Sextant

Or do they just not give them to GOP members of Congress? Either way, its a seemingly childish way to run the government, not to mention the dishonesty involved in hiding a bill so detractors won’t be able to analyze it. Here’s a quote from Politico:

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), one of the bill’s sponsors, finally rose to say that a single copy of the current version of the bill was available at the speaker’s desk – and on the Internet, which members would have to leave the floor to access.

What in the hell kind of governance is this? Why doesn’t the nation benefit from a debate of the bill’s merits or problems? I don’t like what I know about it, but I’d really like some more transparency. Again, I’m shocked at the undercover nature of this bill. Its revolting.

Another fun one from a tax criminal:

Cantor was followed by New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel, who called the bill a “great contribution to human kind” and attacked Republicans for offering nothing but “negative political shots.”

They haven’t been allowed to see the thing, Chuck. Come on, man.

The biggest problem for Democratic leaders at this point comes from veteran Democrats like Rahall, New Jersey Rep. Rush Holt and Colorado Rep. John Salazar, who don’t face a clear election threat in 2010 but oppose the legislation. Leaders want safe veterans on board so that more vulnerable members can be freed to vote no on the bill.

If this vote is going to be so unpopular they have to convince vulnerable members they won’t be slain by this vote, shouldn’t we talk about it first? No? Ok, just ram the damn thing through, I guess.

“I urge every member of Congress, Democrat and Republican, to come together and support this legislation,” he said during a brief Rose Garden event. “I know this is going to be a close vote.”

Let’s start with putting copies of the damn thing in the chamber. No really. It may even get you a vote or two. If its so damn close, and, you know, you’re supposed to debate bills in Congress, let’s try that. Its a dark era of governance where the minority party is completely removed from all decisions, regardless of who is in charge.

I hate the legislation as I understand it, but this is about a larger supposed function of our government. They are hiding something, and I’m guessing its not good. Lord knows you want to jack energy prices up during a recession. Seriously, wouldn’t this be much easier to pass in a year? I know the answer to this one, though. Obama won’t have the support to do it then. At least that’s my prediction.