Politics
By hometyme
@hometyme (288)
United States
June 19, 2007 7:00am CST
Some 38,000 "pet projects" are included in the upcoming budget, according to CNN. Of all the lawmakers that were called, only about 38 reportedly were willing to report the earmarked ( pet ) projects and some 330 seemingly did not want to cooperate or could not be reached. The callers seemed to think that the news of the calls traveled very quickly to other lawmakers.
This being the case, do you feel that these projects may be hid 'for' you benefit or hid from you? Do you feel that this is really government of the people for the people? Do you think the public has a right to know where our tax monies are going?
Do you think the lawmakers should be made more accountable and if so, how?
2 people like this
3 responses
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
19 Jun 07
No, the projects should never be hidden from the public, not for any reason. And, yes, I feel that the lawmakers should be held accountable for not knowing/doing their jobs just as anyone else would be held accountable for screwing up his/her own job, no matter what that job is.
If they can't take time to read the bills before they pass them, then they are far to busy to do their jobs and therefore need to step down. Our lives and livelihoods are in their hands. Our taxes pay their salaries, our votes gave them their jobs (or at least that is what they would like us to believe). We are a REPUBLIC, which means that we hire professionals to do our decision-making for us under the assumption that our best interests are in their hearts. It's about time people got off their butts and emailed their representatives and senators with their complaints.
Remember the Preamble?
We, the PEOPLE, in order to form a perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of LIBERTY to OURSELVES and POSTERITY, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America.
If they can't follow/protect the Constitution, they are most certainly not doing their jobs & need to be replaced by those that can handle the job.
Rant over.
2 people like this
@hometyme (288)
• United States
23 Jun 07
They like votes. I understand that for every one that they hear from they figure there are 10 who do not speak up. I think that's the reason the million-member NRA commands attention. I don't believe the NRA is composed of mentally challenged, and I don't think our lawmakers think they are, either.
Speaking to each other has no effect. Let's speak to the leaders.
1 person likes this
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
25 Jul 07
There are many people who read and don't have a comment to make. Speaking to one another in public forums can often have an unseen effect. If even one reader emails, calls or snail-mails his/her congress member, this conversation had more of an effect than we might have thought.
Tyvm for voting me best respondent. :D
@abroji (3247)
• India
19 Jun 07
This is a topic for US citizens. hometyme, I think this is a very significant topic for the citizens to discuss. Though it is particularly for the US it is relevant to other countries. Transperancy in governance and accountability of law makers and implimentors are very very essential in a democracy. A really vital topic from the point of view of civic interest.
1 person likes this
@hometyme (288)
• United States
19 Jun 07
I believe the problem exists everywhere. In the information age, there is certainly more that could be done for transparency and accountability. Most of us could fair better in a more accountable system. I don't think the effort is there.
1 person likes this
@abroji (3247)
• India
19 Jun 07
You are right hometyme. We here have some e governance programmes in our state of Kerala, India. They are doing some good work though it is only in the begenning stage. A major development taken place in India towards this direction is the right to information bill passed by the Parliament and implimented in various states. But reports say the officials are very reluctant to release informations requested on lame excuses, and misinterpretation of the clauses in the law.
I think technology could be efficiently employed for the service of man, only if the rulers and officials have the right possitive attitude towards the spirit of the constitution.
@ChangingLivesForever (145)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Very thoughtful question. Yes, the lawmakers should be more accountable to the public. All politicians work for us. They were interviewed by the public, we then decided by our vote (folks in the USA-if you don't vote then your voice will not be heard)whom to hire-ie put into office. There should be easy access to all "pet projects" in one place online. I have to spend a great deal of time searching for "laws-changes-add-ons" that affect the disabled children we adopted. Another pet peeve is additions to a major bill that will affect something totally different. So, in the long run-they work for us. We are entitled to full and honest disclosure of all and any projects, bills or laws that will affect our lives and the lives of our children.
1 person likes this
@hometyme (288)
• United States
19 Jun 07
We elect these people to represent us because all of us cannot be in one place, then, I feel, that they let us down terribly.
Many of the bills that are "tacked on" would not survive alone. Though I'm not against them, seat belts were first require by a tack-on bill in NC, I understand.
Some are tacked on in an attempt to defeat other bills. Others are tacked on to a strong bill in order to get the weak ones passed.
It isn't honest, just because it's politics!
How about those who have been convicted of felonies that are still drawing a huge salary?
Our votes need to reflect our real feelings. I believe some need retirement, without the benefits!
@ChangingLivesForever (145)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Yes, I agree some valid bills are tacked on that do reflect practical applications that would otherwise not pass. My issue is I wished there was a better way. Having been actively involved in politics that affect children/youth with both mental and physical disabilities I came to understand the attitude of many (not all) elected officials that wanted to know what was in it for them.
Retirement without benefits if the politician has not been honest in their feduciary obligations to us is something I'd vote for!
1 person likes this
