Politicians still have learned their lesson, and todays news about Harry Reid trying to stuff unrelated legislation into a bill is proof. Here is the article:
“Washington (CNN) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he will add the DREAM Act, a controversial immigration measure, to a defense policy bill the Senate will take up next week.
The decision means the defense bill, which often passes with bipartisan support, will be home to two major, thorny political issues – the other being the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Reid called the DREAM Act “really important” and said it should be passed because it provides a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who go to college or serve in the military. DREAM is an acronym for Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act.
“I know we can’t do comprehensive immigration reform,” Reid said at a news conference. “But those Republicans we had in the last Congress have left us.”
Many Hispanic voters are angry with Democratic leaders for not doing more to pass an immigration overhaul. The decision by Reid to add the DREAM Act now could help soothe that anger.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called Reid’s decision “needlessly controversial.” The Senate will need 60 votes to take up the bill next week, and Reid said Tuesday he doesn’t know if he has enough votes.”
This is wrong on several accounts and here are my highlights.
1) Harry Reid has not brought up his DREAM Act for debate or discussion so it has not been vetted. When politicians bring up legislation that they know will not pass it is only for election time posturing. The people are sick of this kind of politics as usual, treating the voters like pawns in your political game is over.
2) There is no reason to attach unrelated legislation in to one bill. This type of game is only meant so that one party can hold it against the other when they vote against the bill because of one part even if they are in favor of the other. Lets look at what Harry Reid is doing, he sticks immigration reform in with military policy. This means if a Republican votes against the bill because of the immigration reform the Dems will say they are against the military, which is not true.
Now this tactic has been done by both parties and it needs to stop. This is the old style of politics that an absent people have allowed to entrench itself. Thanks to President Obama the sleeping public have now taking a bigger interest in what our representatives are doing on our behalf and we are not going to stand for this kind of games.
Warning to Washington: You play games with our legislation and you will be out of work.
America done right 