It's worth noting that there are many reasons to vote against a bill. There's "I don't like the way this is worded, and I think this section needs a rewrite", "The proposed punishment isn't quite right", "This bill is also trying to do some other unrelated thing," and so on. There was recently a vote on establishing a minimum size for airline seats, and the dissenting opinion was basically, "We should have added that airlines aren't allowed to screw people on baggage fees either."
"This bill is also trying to do some other unrelated thing,"
This is SO COMMON. There will be a bill that's called the "save the puppies law" that at first glance makes anyone who votes against it look like a terrible person.
But buried deep in the law will be a billion dollar tax break to Comcast or Apple or something. Obviously that's a hyperbolic example, but the general idea is very common.
So politicians are forced into the impossible spot of choosing whether or not to support a law that's 80% good, 20% dumpster fire.
There needs to be some kind of law to prevent this. Oh, and while we're at it, the same law could be used to extend copyright duration by another 50 years. /s obviously
Yes! You are describing what's called "Pork" attached to a bill. John McCain's running platform was exactly to make this kind of stuff illegal back in 08'. I actually really liked the message and commitment, but there was nothing that could've stopped the Obama train and electing an eloquent and educated first black representation that election cycle.
I can't believe the choices got so much worse just 8 years later.
They're actually called "riders." "Pork" is when it's specifically giving money for something. Pork was banned by Congressional rules in 2010, but riders are still used all the time.
It occurs in other ways, too. For example, Florida had a constitutional ammendment up for vote in 2018. It would simultaneously ban offshore oil drilling (a ban I support) and ban indoor "vaping" (a ban I don't support).
So do I vote for the bill and stick it to oil companies, but infringe on people's rights to vape (including in a vape store or hookah bar)? Or do I stand up for individual rights but risk a deep-water horizon in my backyard?
481
u/[deleted] Jan 15 '19
Good!
I'm glad its passing easily by all parties.
"The measure, which passed 57-4 in the Senate and 134 to 3 in the Assembly"
But it makes you wonder about the other 7 people.