Pork is not Democracy

A simple three page document, urgently requested by the Secretary of the Treasury to stem the imminent destruction of the United States financial system, turns into a four hundred and fifty one page tome.  The remit of the action required is expanded to include such diverse measures as exemption for duty on arrows designed for children.  In seeking to serve their constituents’ interests the political process has been shown up for all that is lacking in America today.

This was an appalling view of the politicians at work.  Under the cover of ‘democracy’ and ‘oversight’ they inserted elements that would dilute the aim and the meaning of this provision.  Make no mistake, the bailout was still authorized and went through. The politicians’ addenda made a mockery of legislative process, their agreement to the plan in the end made a mockery of their protestations, and the pork provisions at the end made a mockery of seeking resolution of matters in the name of the common good or the commonwealth.  This affair just reveals why it is so hard to get straight talk and straight actions from Washington lawmakers.