Tag Archive for group

Who is “Buying” that Law?

February 11, 2020 Comments Off on Who is “Buying” that Law?

Wonder about the status of a bill in Congress or who’s paying to push it through? Go to www.MapLight.com.  There you’ll find out about bills in the news recently and read a snippet of what they’re about.  Click on the “Interest Groups” or “Companies” tab to see a chart of contributors and amounts they’ve paid. The “Contributions” page lets you find out how much a particular group has contributed to a specific legislator.

There’s a wealth of information on this website.  It’s one all voters should take a look at, especially before the elections.

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Help the Philippines–CAREFULLY

November 12, 2013 Comments Off on Help the Philippines–CAREFULLY

I want to help those poor people in the Philippines who have suffered so much devastation, loss, and heartache because of earthquakes and typhoons.  I bet you do, too. But WAIT!  Don’t give to the next organization who calls or person who shows up on your doorstep.  As usual when there’s a disaster, thieves jump into an emotional situation that enriches them and does nothing or very little to those affected.

There are reputable groups we can donate to, ones that will make sure our donations get to the victims who need it: Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Red Cross, for example.  Before you donate through a group other than these, do your homework.  Look up the other organization online and see how much overhead-vs-help they actually have.  Some seem to exist only to line the pockets of highly paid executives; others are so shady that they don’t dare list such numbers.

Personally, I think it’s sub-human to take advantage of other people’s misery rather than rolling up our sleeves and doing what we can to help our fellow travelers on this Earth.  Such people exist, however, and we need to guard against them–not by avoiding giving but just by being careful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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OK If Lobbyists Write Our Laws?

May 20, 2013 Comments Off on OK If Lobbyists Write Our Laws?

Interest groups are writing our laws.  It surprised me to learn that a Capitol Tracking study of CA bills introduced during the 2011-12 session found that 27% were written by interest groups.  Lawmakers simply added their names to them, and thy’re not required to acknowledge who actually wrote the bill. The bills that the governor signed into law during that time–60% were sponsored by interest groups and 30% by legislators.  That means that lobbyists–non-elected individuals–are essentially making our laws.

In defense of our elected officials, term limits ensures that most are new to the job.  It takes much of their terms of office to learn a little about a lot of issues and a lot about a few issues.  Then they’re out of a job and new people take over.  They have to depend on someone, then, to advise them.  That’s the lobbyist’s task, and we can only hope that our best interest is being put forward along with whatever it is that the lobbyist is promoting.

Are you happy with the laws being proposed and passed?  In January,Senator David Vitter (R-LA) introduced a Constitutional amendment to impose term limits on Congress.   If you think that all Californians are getting fair treatment and protections under our system, support Vitter’s proposal.  If not, let your discomfort with the idea be known to your Congress-member right now.

 

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