How’s it ay different than any Democrat who hasn’t read it or know what’s in it, but will vote FOR it anyway? In fact, isn’t it more responsible to vote no (or present) if you don’t know what’s in it?

Posted by Henn W. on 27 August 02009 @ 7pm

It wouldn’t be. But can you find anybody who’s said “I don’t have to know what’s in this bill, I’m going to support it anyway”? I’m guessing not.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 27 August 02009 @ 9pm

That Roxanne Shante story is awesome! I would stay in school for life and study abroad e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. Seriously, how many people get to stick it to a major corporation like that? And a corporation in an industry known for grossly taking advantage of people. Awesome. That story made my day.

Posted by grs on 27 August 02009 @ 10pm

Off topic, but I thought there may be some interest in this:

United States & Illinois File Clean Air Act Lawsuit Against Midwest Generation
The complaint alleges that Midwest Generation made major modifications to its coal-fired power plants in Illinois without also installing and operating required pollution control equipment. As a result, Midwest Generation’s six Illinois power plants, which have a combined capacity of more than 6,000 megawatts, are illegally emitting massive amounts of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. The complaint also alleges that emissions from Midwest Generation violated opacity and particulate matter limits.

Posted by grs on 28 August 02009 @ 10am

So, I’ll start off by saying that I don’t expect my congresspeople to read every bit of legislation they vote on. I expect, instead, that they hire smart, informed aides to help them read, reason about, and come to a decision on legislation that passes in front of them. I think that when this system works, it allows for far better decision making.

This is not to say that I’m in favor of my representative just accepting an aide’s opinion, but that doesn’t mean they have to read every word of all legislation personally.

However, in Inhofe’s case, he actually says he doesn’t need to read it OR KNOW WHAT’S IN IT, so that’s just inexcusable.

“In fact, isn’t it more responsible to vote no (or present) if you don’t know what’s in it?”

No, it’s not more responsible to vote no. It’s irresponsible either way. If by an uninformed no vote, we maintain a harmful status quo, I don’t think we’re any better off than if by an uninformed yes vote, we enact a harmful new law.

We elect our representatives to represent us and make informed decisions on our behalf. Doing otherwise is a dereliction of duty.

Posted by Ben C. on 28 August 02009 @ 10am

I shop at a Wal-mart about once every three years, mostly out of dislike for their corporate policies. Still, the “aren’t lower-class people funny” tone of that photo site is obnoxious, I think.

Posted by David Sewell on 28 August 02009 @ 10am

As some wag noted re opponents of the health care bills not reading them cover-to-cover: “If I’m checking out the ingredients in a soda pop and the first one is “rat piss,” then I don’t need to keep reading.”

Posted by Will on 29 August 02009 @ 2am

just got sent that Roxanne Shante link elsewhere… really goddamn cool. I feel the need to add that, in addition to apparently being an immensely cool person, Roxanne Shante was (back in the day) an AMAZINGLy good rapper.

check this track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9IFs13w_JQ&feature=related
it’s twice as good if you’re familiar with UTFO’s original track “Roxanne Roxanne” — but either way, it’s the sassiest bit of 14-yr-old tough-brooklyn-girl rapping ever recorded to tape.

her 1985 follow-up single, “Def Fresh Crew,” an acapella duet with Biz Markie (his recorded debut!) is equally amazing. Can’t find a good YouTube link, but it’s a keeper (ask Patrick)

… heck, I’m even a fan of her later stuff (audio is NSFW):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ln0_NV4lIc
(it’s sort of embarrassingly obvious that this track is ghost-written by Kool G Rap… but that’s always been a PLUS in my book)

Posted by James on 29 August 02009 @ 3am

“If I’m checking out the ingredients in a soda poplegislation and the first one is “rat piss,” “Democratic idea”, then I don’t need to keep reading.”

Statement corrected for full disclosure.

Posted by Bubby Hussein, Hillbilly Sheikh on 29 August 02009 @ 9am

I would really like to find a recording of the version I remember with “me the Rox, give up the box..” but no success. I do have the same one as James’ youtube link.

Posted by kathy on 29 August 02009 @ 8pm