Just a BIll

“School house Rock” was a animated musical educational short films that aired during the Saturday morning children's programming on the television network ABC. One of the segment which first aired in 1975, was how a bill becomes a law, how it must go through Congress, and how it can be vetoed on.

It seemed so straightforward and educational. I wonder if that poor animated bill ever knew about the word “lobbyist”?

Just for the year 2009 there has been 667 lobbyist record in the Air Transport category ranging from Aero Astro to Xcor Aerospace with a total lobbying expenditures of $40.7 million. Now contrast that with the Pharmaceuticals/Health Products with a total number of 1,545 lobbyist and expenditures of $134 million. This is by far the highest of any group this year the second place was Oil/Gas at $82 million. It is no wonder that our Congressman and Senators have a tough time pushing a bill through.

Could you ever envision a day you could call up your representative and have a meeting with him or her?

This past Thursday I was invited to a “Town Hall” conference call with my Congressional Representative Dave Reichert from the 8th District in the state of Washington.

I had spent a few hours researching concerns of mine from aviation safety to health care. It was time for the call and I got nothing… The number they had sent me was not a valid number. Therefore, I tried his office to call his office in Mercer Island, WA and nothing but a busy signal. Maybe I am not part of the “Right” lobbing group.

Just a bill Video

A thought for the day.
Jock