Proof positive that congress has lost all touch with reality

Here is a quote from Nancy Pelosi the current Speaker of The House of Representatives regarding the current legislation before both the House and the Senate concerning health care.

“But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy."

Since when do those in Washington DC have to pass bills in secret so we poor confused citizens don't have to be bothered with all that discussion on the merits of those bills? After all that might mean that we would have to analyze the pros and cons and actually think about which we believe are the better options of those available. Heaven forbid that we be left in a "fog" from all this effort piled on our feeble brains.

Washington DC and its "inside the beltway" mentality have gone so far off the path that it boggles the mind. In some cases they have given up any pretense of acknowledging the fact that they were elected by the people to represent their wishes in the operation of the government. They have decided that due to their years of understanding how the system works that they know what is best for us and in cases like Pelosi are actually getting annoyed that we won't go away and quit bothering them so they can do what they know is right.

If you feel as I do that these matters which are now bordering on madness need to be brought back into line you need too become involved in the process. The first thing you have to do is educate yourself. Start watching CBS, ABC and NBC for their news coverage. Then watch Fox News and spend some time listening to talk radio. Next you need to start reading. I know I'm asking a lot especially of the current generation but trust me you might even find out that you like it. Start off small. Read the founding documents of this country. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of The United States. Take you time and read them more than once. Now that you are warmed up go to the library or visit you favorite book store and get a copy of "A Patriot's History Of The United States" by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen. Allow me to put in a home town plug here and recommend Mystery Lovers Book Store on Allegheny River Boulevard. You may not find this volume on the shelf but the will get it for if you ask. Nice people to deal with and a friendly reader atmosphere.

Next question, are you registered to vote? If the answer is no please go and register to vote. I have been registered for so long that I'm not quite sure how the "motor voter law" passed in 1993 affects Pennsylvania. If you need help or more information contact the League of Women Voters for the Pittsburgh area. Once you are registered take a little time, it won't be as much as you think, to learn who the candidates are and what they say they will do if elected. If they are already in office ask your friends and neighbors what they think of them and look up what their voting record is.

So now you are going to tell me that all of this is way too much effort. That you don't have the time. In short it is more bother than it is worth. I hate to be cynical, but you may be right. I have been waiting for decades for real change to come to the Pittsburgh area at least in the form of having the political system return to being a two party entity. So far it hasn't happened. Still I keep voting and asking other to do the same.

Despite the winter we have just had I still like Pittsburgh and I love Oakmont. Taxes however are driving so many people out of the area that at some point we are not going to be able to keep our standard of living and the city and towns that we love are going to suffer. If we as citizens don't become involved we will have only ourselves to blame.