Ramblings From Justin Penney

So I came across Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids while looking up the powers of the branches of government. This is also a good place to learn about how the legislative branch works and how a bill becomes a law. Where is Schoolhouse Rock when you need it!

The Bush campaign has done an excellent job of pushing the catch phrase "flip-flopper" on to John Kerry. They most often site the $87 billion (do you realise how big that is!) package for Iraq. Each time a bill goes through the Senate senators and committees tack stuff on. It might be a monument in their state, or money for some pet program of the Senator. A bill can come to vote with the meat of it being just a small percentage of what's on it. So it's quite often that the senators change votes because they may not approve of some of the things on the bill.

The things that really disturbs me is how easy people latch on to buzz words and completely forget how government works. Also the fact that a lot fo the people that I talk too have these enormously strong opinions but have no actual reason behind it.

"Why do you support this?"

"Because I do."

"Ok... I get that but what is the reason for your support."

*blank stare*. Well... your putting words in my mouth.

Yep, I don't get it either. Another thing people lose is the ability to use refernces or even attempt at finding a reference for a little nugget of rhetoric that they picked up. That's basic grade school educational stuff right there.

# posted by Justin @ 11:29 PM