It All Adds Up

So, all over the news and the lips of the talking heads of CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and Fox News was the Credit Card legislation that was passed by Congress. Legislation that will protect credit card holders who often find themselves at the mercy of an industry that has up to this point been weakly regulated. This is supposed to be the start of the Obama Administration's commitment to shift the balance of power from business and corporations to the average citizen.

Interestingly enough, there was an addition to this landmark legislation that managed to fly under the radar. Now, thanks to an amendment added to the bill, people will be allowed to carry concealed handguns into National Parks. There are so many different ways to attack this amendment, but that's for another day, what is more peculiar is how something like this amendment that has absolutely nothing to do with the original purpose of the bill can be added and enacted into law upon its signature.

The worst part of all of this is that it's not an irregular occurrence. Amendments and riders that have nothing to do with the body of the bill are added all the time. Take a look at most any significant legislation and you'll find some interesting little additions that made a huge difference in the lives of many Americans. While every one talks about the main accomplishment of a bill, what isn't being talked about rears it's ugly head months or years later when it's too late. Once discovered, people balk and complain and stand in astonishment that something like this could happen.

As I write this post, legislators are contemplating riders and amendments to bills that none of us have heard of yet. Bills that will make the evening news, newspapers, columns and the like, but these riders an amendments won't add up to even a fifth of the language in the legislation. Still, the effect of these alterations add up to significant changes in things from under what circumstances your privacy can be invaded or in what ways an organization can discriminate against a job applicant.

How does this happen? It happens because people are too busy to pay attention until it's too late. If elected officials had to answer to citizens who knew what was going on, they wouldn't dare try to slip last minute changes and amendments that don't belong into important legislation. Engaged and educated constituents are the best friend of a representative fighting to get things done. Engaged and educated constituents are also the worst enemy of a representative who cares more for getting re-elected than putting his or her neck on the line for what their district needs.

The little things make all the difference. A little awareness on the part of every citizen and the little amendments that add up to big changes might not slip through the little cracks. A little vigilance goes a long way towards keeping the little things like last minute amendments and riders from taking a big chunk out of Democracy.

CW