Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Further tales of the Do-Nothing Legislature



Ask yourself, what have these guys accomplished this year? Can you name anything significant?



If you want further proof that they are only concerned about their own careers rather than doing what is right for the public, you only have to look at this one symptom of the entire disease.



Robo-calls.



They won't even protect you from robo-calls, something that everyone hates.



So, not only are they letting the state careen towards fiscal disaster, they want the ability to blame their opponents for it with numerous annoying phone calls during the next election. Won't that be fun?



Lawmakers have been reluctant to regulate the phone calls very strictly because they are incredibly cheap -- about five cents a call -- and give politicians the ability to respond quickly when attacked.



State Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, and his Democratic and Republican opponents used the calls constantly during the contentious primary and general election races last year. But Pappageorge said he would sign up for a do-not-call list if it were available.



"I don't like robo-calls, and I certainly don't like the anonymity currently allowed," Pappageorge said last week. "But the closer you get to the election, it's the only option left."



Sure. The Republicans want to be able to blame the Democrats for the consequences of what is happening now. Given that they have now bipartisan cover for the state's fiscal crisis, it can and will be used against the Dems next year.



Why, they have even been known to put the faces of tax cut victims on posters and blame the people in power for their demise. Have we forgotten that lesson, people? Do you think that you will escape it if it happens in your district?



There will be a phone call to remind you.



State Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Grand Rapids, introduced a bill that would create a do-not-call list, but it was rewritten to merely define a robo-call.



"I still think there is more to be done and I plan to reintroduce the bill," Hardiman said. "I know some don't want the legislation to be introduced, but it just makes basic sense."



State Sen. Michelle McManus, a Lake Leelenau Republican who chairs the Senate's Campaign and Election Oversight Committee, said she wants to hold statewide hearings to see if robo-calls need to be addressed more strictly.



"We want to be very deliberative," she said. "We need to keep the legislation very, very narrow."



I'll bet you do. It's all about you, isn't it. Never mind what the public wants and needs.



It becomes more apparent everyday.