My conversation with a state legislator (you're not gonna believe this!)

[Matt Collins]

Everything was off the record, so I can't go into details of who, what, when, where etc, but let's just say I recently had a conversation with a self-described "conservative" state legislator from my state of residence.


This legislator told me that they often times didn't have an opinion on many votes because they "hadn't heard from any constituents". On bills that come up for vote if they don't have strong feelings either way, which is apparently often, then they rely on e-mails and phone calls from the voters to guide their way. When there are no e-mails or phone calls they make up their own mind.

But what this legislator told me was kind of shocking upon reflection. They said, although this legislator swears they read every single bill prior to voting, they often make the decision to vote yay or nay within 3 seconds on the legislative floor. The leader says "roll call" or whatever the term may be, and at that point they have to push 1 of 2 buttons on their desk "yay" or "nay". It's at that time apparently that many make that decision on how to vote.


So I explained to this legislator:

Remember, if you are ever in a situation where you don't know which way to vote on an issue, simply ask yourself the following questions which will hopefully lead you to the correct answer:

- "will this action increase the size or scope of government?"
- "is this action authorized in the Constitution? (US or TN)"
- "will this action increase spending or taxes?"
- "will this action decrease liberty, personal freedom, or individual/property rights?"

And this legislator said "wow! That's a great idea, I had never thought of that before!"





.

[sailor]

Shocking stuff Matt, but there you have it. Your good deed for the day.

[PaulaGem]

YouTube - Texas Legislation

[LATruth]

And this legislator said "wow! That's a great idea, I had never thought of that before!"

Never thought of that? WTF! How long has held his position?

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

And this legislator said "wow! That's a great idea, I had never thought of that before!"

I think I threw up a little in my mouth. That can ONLY be someone that is the product of a Public School Education.

[nobody's_hero]

That is a great set of criteria to gauge how a legislator should vote on an issue.

I might add a 5th:

Can (should) this issue be more effectively handled at the county or municipal level of government?

[american.swan]

This is just more evidence that Ron Paul knew when he was running for President that he had a chance to make a difference. Do you think Ron Paul really would have run for President or thought he could regain Congress if congress was full of socialist? Ron Paul knows the congressmen and women are still up for grabs. He knows that hounding them works.

That means there are very few members of congress who are actually in the "New World Order" and support it. Their just as duped as the common American.

[SWATH]

- "will this action increase the size or scope of government?"
- "is this action authorized in the Constitution? (US or TN)"
- "will this action increase spending or taxes?"
- "will this action decrease liberty, personal freedom, or individual/property rights?"

Wow, that is very similar to a screening process I suggested to a coworker (socialist) for forming an opinion on legislation, who dismissed it as being far to simple. It was like a flow chart as follows:

Step 1: Is it Constitutional? If no, your done, if yes proceed.
Step 2: Does it infringe on anyone's rights? If yes your done, if no proceed.
Step 3: Does it increase freedom or decrease it? If it decreases it you oppose it, if it increases it you favor it.

[Andrew-Austin]

And this legislator said "wow! That's a great idea, I had never thought of that before!"

Haha, it would be funny if it wasn't so sad. I never thought the term "button masher" could describe anyone but newbie video game players, but apparently it describes the mentality of legislators. Lacking any kind of coherent philosophy to guide their vote, they are unable to see the long term consequences of the bills they vote for, all they see is the short term promises of the bill's advocates.

[KCIndy]

I think I threw up a little in my mouth. That can ONLY be someone that is the product of a Public School Education.

If I may suggest one other cause, (although I agree 100% with your public school education comment) this is also indicative of the current thinking in our country that government is always supposed to be "doing something."

I'm always appalled at how a legislator's record seems to be judged (at least by the media) on how many NEW laws the legislator has introduced and had passed.

I've always thought the credit ought to go to any legislator who was able to repeal a few of the stupider and more useless laws already on the books.... *sigh* but then, I guess that's why I'm a libertarian.

[Matt Collins]

Wow, that is very similar to a screening process I suggested to a coworker (socialist) for forming an opinion on legislation, who dismissed it as being far to simple.

Great minds think alike?

[silverhawks]

Why would a state legislator be concerned with individual rights...after all, they're not THAT important, are they?

*facepalm*

Honestly Matt, you need to speak to as many other state legislators up there in TN to see if they have the same point of view as this person - that is a shocking and total ignorance of their role in government.

[Matt Collins]

that is a shocking and total ignorance of their role in government.

You must be new to this country?

[Dr.3D]

Snip~
I'm always appalled at how a legislator's record seems to be judged (at least by the media) on how many NEW laws the legislator has introduced and had passed.

I've always thought the credit ought to go to any legislator who was able to repeal a few of the stupider and more useless laws already on the books.... *sigh* but then, I guess that's why I'm a libertarian.

Well, they probably got the idea that making new laws is their job. After all, they are called lawmakers.

For once, I would like to see them stop making laws and start repealing laws.
If they keep making new ones long enough, where would they ever store all of the books full of them?

What really bothers me is, they expect us to know all of these stupid laws they keep making up and they don't even know some of the laws they made up.

I keep hearing the phrase, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." Yet, they don't even read some of the laws before they vote on them.

[Kotin]

this thread needs a bump..








.........

[justinc.1089]

This is just more evidence that Ron Paul knew when he was running for President that he had a chance to make a difference. Do you think Ron Paul really would have run for President or thought he could regain Congress if congress was full of socialist? Ron Paul knows the congressmen and women are still up for grabs. He knows that hounding them works.

That means there are very few members of congress who are actually in the "New World Order" and support it. Their just as duped as the common American.

Thats very true, and a great point.

There are conspiracies in the world, but everything is not a conspiracy. Some influencial people that seem intelligent, and generally are, although not so honest, just influence other people who then influence even more people.

Most people in congresses, state or federal level, are much like the average person from the area they're from. They think the same way, unless they decide to do something corrupt they know is wrong, so they will make the same mistakes.

In other words if a SC congressman votes for more war, I would say the chances are extremely high he did it all on his own thinking its a good thing, and not that he is in a wierd secret group, influenced personally by powerful people, or payed tons of money to vote that way. Those are all possible, but he would also think voting for the war is a good thing to do to begin with.

The very corrupt, or "conspiracy" type people are the ones at the top that start the idea first, and people so high up in positions that there is no doubt they fully understand what they deal with everyday.

[kahless]

- "will this action increase the size or scope of government?"
- "is this action authorized in the Constitution? (US or TN)"
- "will this action increase spending or taxes?"
- "will this action decrease liberty, personal freedom, or individual/property rights?"

This would go great on index cards that you can send to your senators and representatives.

[Matt Collins]

This would go great on index cards that you can send to your senators and representatives.

You should design and print them up for the CFL

[lester1/2jr]

A while ago I talked to a guy who had been active in the GOP. What he told me was basically the local people are still pretty cool and still what you would commonly generically call a conservative. it's when you get to washington that that word becomes essentially meaningless