Stimulus vote rushed through the House. No one had time to read the final bill

http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=43478

CNSNews.com) – Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)predicted on Thursday thatnone of his Senate colleagues would"have the chance" toread the entire final version of the $790-billionstimulus billbeforethe bill comes up for a final vote in Congress.

"No, I don't think anyone will have the chance to [read the entire bill]," Lautenberg told CNSNews.com.

The final bill, crafted by aHouse-Senate conference committee,was posted on the Website of the House AppropriationsCommitte late Thurdayin two PDF files.

ThefirstPDF was 424 pages long and the secondPDF was575 pageslong, makingthetotal bill 999 pages long. The House is expected to vote on this 999-page bill Friday, and the Senate either later Friday or Saturday. [Editor's note: The first PDF, as posted on the HouseAppropriations Committee website as of8:20 AM Friday morning, had grown by 72 pages to 496 pages, increasing the length of the total document to 1,071 pages.]

Ofthe several senators that CNSNews.cominterviewed on Thursday, only Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) claimed to have read the entire bill--and he was speaking of the preliminary version that had been approved by the Senate, not the final 999-pageversion thattheHouse-Senate conference committee was still haggling over on Thursday afternoon.

When CNSNews.com asked members of both parties on Capitol Hillon Thursday whether they had read the full,final bill, not one member could say, "Yes."

And only one--Voinovich--volunteered that he had actuallyread the version of the bill that had passed the Senate.

Unfortunetly this is how our goverment is operated now. This isn't the first time either, this kind of stuff happens all the time. There was another bill (I can't recall which one) that was released at 3am and was up for voting that very day. dnuggs40

[QUOTE="dnuggs40"]Unfortunetly this is how our goverment is operated now. This isn't the first time either, this kind of stuff happens all the time. There was another bill (I can't recall which one) that was released at 3am and was up for voting that very day. Buddha_basic

I find it deeply deeply disturbing that no one read this entire bill carefully before voting on it. Would anyone here sign anything without reading it, especially involving money? Disgusting.flazzle

Pathetic. And Obama believes that stupid woman is responsible.:roll:Theokhoth

There are a lot of words you could use to describe Nancy Pelosi, but "stupid" is not one of them.

[QUOTE="flazzle"]I find it deeply deeply disturbing that no one read this entire bill carefully before voting on it. Would anyone here sign anything without reading it, especially involving money? Disgusting.Buddha_basic

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]Pathetic. And Obama believes that stupid woman is responsible.:roll:chessmaster1989

There are a lot of words you could use to describe Nancy Pelosi, but "stupid" is not one of them.

I'll take that bet. Let me whip out my list.

Let's see: lazy, selfish, irresponsible, conceited, immature, pathetic, insane, wack-job, worst-House-speaker-ever, ugly. . . . hmm, you're right. Stupid really isn't on my list.

[QUOTE="flazzle"]I find it deeply deeply disturbing that no one read this entire bill carefully before voting on it. Would anyone here sign anything without reading it, especially involving money? Disgusting.Buddha_basic

I am not naive in thinking stuff like this hasn't happened before. But I guess all that talk about 'Change' and new way of doing things was just that : talk.

Why not just do this with every bill?

[QUOTE="Buddha_basic"][QUOTE="flazzle"]I find it deeply deeply disturbing that no one read this entire bill carefully before voting on it. Would anyone here sign anything without reading it, especially involving money? Disgusting.Archon_basic

Besides, we were kinda promised this **** would stop. "Change, change, change," remember!

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]Pathetic. And Obama believes that stupid woman is responsible.:roll:Theokhoth

There are a lot of words you could use to describe Nancy Pelosi, but "stupid" is not one of them.

I'll take that bet. Let me whip out my list.

Let's see: lazy, selfish, irresponsible, conceited, immature, pathetic, insane, wack-job, worst-House-speaker-ever, ugly. . . . hmm, you're right. Stupid really isn't on my list.

I would actually call her a fairly brilliant politician, given how she's helping to get this stimulus package pushed through. You may not agree with her (actually, I agree that congresspeople should have more time to read the bill, and wish they would not rush something as important as a $789 billion stimulus package), but, you must admit, she's doing a good job of getting it through before people can have second thoughts.

Again, I'm not saying that it's a good thing that she's doing this, and I disagree with rushing the stimulus; however, as a political move, it's pretty brilliant.

I mean, you don't have to agree with someone to realize that they are a good politician. For example, I was disgusted by George Bush's 2004 campaign against John Kerry, but I will freely admit that it was damn effective.

[QUOTE="Archon_basic"][QUOTE="Buddha_basic"] again this happens all the time in politics. It does suck but...yet others woudl do the same. They did it with their mortgages without reading the fine print.Theokhoth

Besides, we were kinda promised this **** would stop. "Change, change, change," remember!

Clearly, Nancy Pelosi didn't get the memo :P.

Honestly, though, does that surprise you lol?

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

[QUOTE="Archon_basic"]It doesn't matter if it's happened before or if it happens often. The American people deserve more from their representatives. Don't shrug it off, speak out. It's an outrage that our country is trillions of dollars in debt and the House has the gall to pass a spending bill without reading it.chessmaster1989

Besides, we were kinda promised this **** would stop. "Change, change, change," remember!

Clearly, Nancy Pelosi didn't get the memo :P.

Honestly, though, does that surprise you lol?

Not in the slightest, which has been my point all along.

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

Besides, we were kinda promised this **** would stop. "Change, change, change," remember!

Theokhoth

Clearly, Nancy Pelosi didn't get the memo :P.

Honestly, though, does that surprise you lol?

Not in the slightest, which has been my point all along.

Well, Pelosi is arguably the second most powerful person in the United States lol.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"][QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]

There are a lot of words you could use to describe Nancy Pelosi, but "stupid" is not one of them.

chessmaster1989

I'll take that bet. Let me whip out my list.

Let's see: lazy, selfish, irresponsible, conceited, immature, pathetic, insane, wack-job, worst-House-speaker-ever, ugly. . . . hmm, you're right. Stupid really isn't on my list.

I would actually call her a fairly brilliant politician, given how she's helping to get this stimulus package pushed through. You may not agree with her (actually, I agree that congresspeople should have more time to read the bill, and wish they would not rush something as important as a $789 billion stimulus package), but, you must admit, she's doing a good job of getting it through before people can have second thoughts.

Again, I'm not saying that it's a good thing that she's doing this, and I disagree with rushing the stimulus; however, as a political move, it's pretty brilliant.

I mean, you don't have to agree with someone to realize that they are a good politician. For example, I was disgusted by George Bush's 2004 campaign against John Kerry, but I will freely admit that it was damn effective.

[QUOTE="Buddha_basic"][QUOTE="flazzle"]I find it deeply deeply disturbing that no one read this entire bill carefully before voting on it. Would anyone here sign anything without reading it, especially involving money? Disgusting.flazzle

I am not naive in thinking stuff like this hasn't happened before. But I guess all that talk about 'Change' and new way of doing things was just that : talk.

Why not just do this with every bill?

Look, guys, I never said I was a fan of Nancy Pelosi. Really, it's only been since Bush left office that I realized that I don't like her. After all, before then, nothing had really happened for the two years that she was Speaker of the House (problems arise when Congress and the president have a serious ideological rift :P).chessmaster1989

The reason why nothing really happened in 2006-2008 was because the Dems had the majority in Congress, but only a slight majority. Not enough override GWB.

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]Look, guys, I never said I was a fan of Nancy Pelosi. Really, it's only been since Bush left office that I realized that I don't like her. After all, before then, nothing had really happened for the two years that she was Speaker of the House (problems arise when Congress and the president have a serious ideological rift :P).LosDaddie

The reason why nothing really happened in 2006-2008 was because the Dems had the majority in Congress, but only a slight majority. Not enough override GWB.

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

So is constantly bashing the opposite party while having a partisan signature.

[QUOTE="LosDaddie"]

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]Look, guys, I never said I was a fan of Nancy Pelosi. Really, it's only been since Bush left office that I realized that I don't like her. After all, before then, nothing had really happened for the two years that she was Speaker of the House (problems arise when Congress and the president have a serious ideological rift :P).Theokhoth

The reason why nothing really happened in 2006-2008 was because the Dems had the majority in Congress, but only a slight majority. Not enough override GWB.

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

So is constantly bashing the opposite party while having a partisan signature.

:P well said.

Actually, I don't like Harry Reid because he's ineffective and fairly spineless. I dislike Nancy Pelosi because she's too much of a politician.

That said, I'm not a fan of Tom DeLay or Bill Frist, either :P.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"][QUOTE="LosDaddie"]

The reason why nothing really happened in 2006-2008 was because the Dems had the majority in Congress, but only a slight majority. Not enough override GWB.

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

chessmaster1989

So is constantly bashing the opposite party while having a partisan signature.

:P well said.

Actually, I don't like Harry Reid because he's ineffective and fairly spineless. I dislike Nancy Pelosi because she's too much of a politician.

That said, I'm not a fan of Tom DeLay or Bill Frist, either :P.

I'm not a fan of them, either, but Pelosi is by far the most incompetent prune we've ever made House Speaker.

[QUOTE="LosDaddie"]

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]Look, guys, I never said I was a fan of Nancy Pelosi. Really, it's only been since Bush left office that I realized that I don't like her. After all, before then, nothing had really happened for the two years that she was Speaker of the House (problems arise when Congress and the president have a serious ideological rift :P).Theokhoth

The reason why nothing really happened in 2006-2008 was because the Dems had the majority in Congress, but only a slight majority. Not enough override GWB.

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

So is constantly bashing the opposite party while having a partisan signature.

And your point is? :|

I never claimed to be non-partisan. I proudly wear my ideals on my sleeve.

And your point is? :|

I never claimed to be non-partisan. I proudly wear my ideal on my sleeve.

LosDaddie

So do the guys who praise their guys and hate your guys.:| If you're gonna criticise them for being partisan, at least be consistent.

This is no big deal guys. They had an idea of what was in it from the first time they passed it through. All the final bill is is a compromise between the house bill and the senate bill that they have been going over for the last month.DaBrainz

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

So is constantly bashing the opposite party while having a partisan signature.

Theokhoth

:P well said.

Actually, I don't like Harry Reid because he's ineffective and fairly spineless. I dislike Nancy Pelosi because she's too much of a politician.

That said, I'm not a fan of Tom DeLay or Bill Frist, either :P.

I'm not a fan of them, either, but Pelosi is by far the most incompetent prune we've ever made House Speaker.

*shrugs* I wouldn't call her incompetent, but whatever.

In any case, I'll move on to a different argument, as I have a feeling this one will just descend into a "yes she is" "no she isn't" type of thing :P (just like every single religious thread on this forum lol).

[QUOTE="DaBrainz"]This is no big deal guys. They had an idea of what was in it from the first time they passed it through. All the final bill is is a compromise between the house bill and the senate bill that they have been going over for the last month.nocoolnamejim

DaBrainz does have a point, here. I still think that they should have been given some more time to review the bill, but it's not as though the contents of this bill should come as a huge surprise to the members of Congress...

I'm not a fan of them, either, but Pelosi is by far the most incompetent prune we've ever made House Speaker.

Theokhoth

[QUOTE="LosDaddie"]

And your point is? :|

I never claimed to be non-partisan. I proudly wear my ideal on my sleeve.

Theokhoth

So do the guys who praise their guys and hate your guys.:| If you're gonna criticise them for being partisan, at least be consistent.

:lol: Where did I criticize them?

I was just stating that hating on the opposite party is what a partisan does. You only helped prove my point :)

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

I'm not a fan of them, either, but Pelosi is by far the most incompetent prune we've ever made House Speaker.

nocoolnamejim

I agree with that. She hasn't been effective yet.

To be fair, congressional Dems didn't have the power/votes to get their legislation passed before Obama. Like their Time Table for Withdrawl in Iraq; There was just no way GWB and the Repubs were going to agree with it and it failed. But damn it if GWB didn't get his war funding anyways :x

:lol: Where did I criticize them?

I was just stating that hating on the opposite party is what a partisan does. You only helped prove my point :)

LosDaddie

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

LosDaddie

All I can say is, reading is for squares.Jandurin

its hip to be a square.

Besides, we were kinda promised this **** would stop. "Change, change, change," remember! Theokhoth

I don't think that "removing the separation of powers in American government" was one of Obama's promises. He has nothing to do with the procedural matters of Congress. :?

[QUOTE="LosDaddie"]

:lol: Where did I criticize them?

I was just stating that hating on the opposite party is what a partisan does. You only helped prove my point :)

Theokhoth

Anyway, the Right will always hate congressional DEm leaders like Pelosi & Reid and love their guys like DeLay, Frist, Santorum, & hastert. That's the whole point of being a partisan.

LosDaddie

Doesn't surprise me you would take it as criticism. :) I just stated a fact about politics

If it wanted to criticize Repubs in congress, then I'da said: "Repubs favor their party over what's best for America and would never give congressions Dems a fair shake".

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]Besides, we were kinda promised this **** would stop. "Change, change, change," remember! GabuEx

I don't think that "removing the separation of powers in American government" was one of Obama's promises. He has nothing to do with the procedural matters of Congress. :?

No, but he can (and does and has) influence the process by urging immediate action on what-have-you, which is exactly what he's done with this bill.

Doesn't surprise me you would take it as criticism. :) I just stated a fact about politics

If it wanted to criticize Repubs in congress, then I'da said: "Repubs favor their party over what's best for America and would never give congressions Dems a fair shake".

LosDaddie

That's also called partisanship. . .but if you didn't mean it as a criticism, then fine. But your generalisiation and pointing out "the Right" certainly implied criticism.

All that I can say is that they read it for the past 3 weeks... why should they read it another time?Redgarl

Because it's been altered since their last reading of it. And because it's their job.