Package Deals

As consumers, we tend to like “package deals”. You know, the notion that by packaging several items together, we get them at a lesser price than if we bought them separately. Value meals work on this principle. So do option packages on automobiles.

Of course, sometimes, the seller is packaging things that consumers don’t want… they are slow sellers… with items we do want. In this case, we don’t have the option of buying them separately, and must purchase the item(s) we really didn’t want, to get those that we do want. Ultimately, a lot of those unwanted items end up in the back of drawers, in boxes in the garage, at flea markets or in the local landfill.

The way congress seems to work is similar. They “package” different legislation together to get them passed. I'm sure they would tell us it is for "efficiency". The problem is, the various pieces of legislation don’t have anything to do with each other. Often, it is like buying a “package deal” that includes a Big Mac, a left swim fin, 2-metric wrenches, a tire and a 220v hair-dryer.

And, best of all (for congressmen) it gives them “political cover”. Maybe their constituents (the few who are paying attention) will get upset about the wrenches and the hair dryer. But Mr. John Q. Congressman can look them in the eye and say, “ma’am, I agree. I didn’t like that part either. But I felt the other things were too important to vote against, so I voted for the whole package.”

It is a lot easier on them since they are “buying” with our tax money, not out of their own pockets.

This is how a lot of the pork gets bought, how a lot of our money gets thrown away. This is the sort of business that makes it very hard to hold your Representatives and Senators accountable for their votes.

I think to return to a position of accountability, not to mention some thrift in the spending, we need to limit our congressmen to legislation that is one subject at a time.

You want a bridge in Arkansas? No problem, put it on its own bill, keep it “pure” and vote it up or down.

Want to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Great… just don’t add funding for fish museums in Idaho.

One subject, one bill, one piece of legislation. It really isn’t too hard.

Maybe, just maybe, such a process would both slow down the spending of our tax dollars, as well as ensure that at election time, we really know what our representatives stood for, and stood against. And, we couldn’t so easily be lied to anymore… which is of course why our congressmen would only go along with it if they felt they had no choice.

That’s my thought, what do you think?

Concerned Patriot.