Public is not asking a lot to have bills read

I recently wrote a letter calling for greater accountability on the part of lawmakers regarding the need to read bills before voting on them.

I whimsically suggested that an exam be created which lawmakers would have to pass attesting to their knowledge of a bill’s content before being allowed to vote. Lo and behold while driving home last night (Monday, Aug. 17), I tuned in to the Jim Bohannon show on KPND.

The entire show was dedicated to a call for accountability and transparency when it comes to the legislation process. A Web site has been created called Pledgetoread.com. Lawmakers can voluntarily sign a pledge attesting to the fact that they will not sign any bill without first reading it and also ensuring that the bill is out on the Internet for at least 72 hours for the public’s scrutiny before they vote.

When a caller called in and said to the host that it seems almost silly that you have to utilize this accountability method (or any accountability method for that matter), Bohannon replied, alas, this is the reality of the situation. It was an interesting discussion.

Among other measures that the show’s guest put forward was “one bill, one subject,” and limiting the length of bills. Looking at the Web site, it appears that a handful of senators have signed the attestation as well as more than 100 members of Congress.  Why wouldn’t a lawmaker sign, unless …?

PAUL KRAMES

Sagle