Could "bill reading" follow the same path as drug legalization?
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** More politicians are advocating bill reading - for their own reasons
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The idea that politicians should read bills before passing them has something in common with drug legalization. Think back a few years.
Can you remember when marijuana legalization was thought to be a bad idea by most citizens and all politicians?
It wasn't that long ago. Indeed, the idea that we might someday re-legalize psychedelic substances (like psilocybin mushrooms) was considered even crazier - perhaps even a threat to civilization. But now we're moving in the opposite direction. In fact, there's big news on that front!
New Mexico ([link removed]) , Virginia ([link removed]) , and New York ([link removed]) have all legalized pot just recently!
That means there are now only 6 states ([link removed]) that lack some form of legalized marijuana. Plus, there is increasing support ([link removed]) for legalization at the federal level. On top of that, we now have 5 cities and one state ([link removed]) that have legalized or decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms. More importantly…
** Many of these changes have been enacted by politicians, NOT public referendums!
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How is that possible? After all, we keep hearing "politicians never do anything right" and "change is impossible as long as establishment politicians remain in office."
Changes in the drug laws completely refute these beliefs.
This is especially meaningful because the change is happening on an issue where it was long thought to be impossible. And now…
You and I are starting to witness similar movement on the bill reading issue!
** More and more mainstream politicians are advocating bill reading
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The politicians are even using bill reading as a tactical weapon!
* It happened in the U.S. Senate ([link removed]) .
* It happened in Colorado ([link removed]) .
* It happened in Oregon ([link removed]) .
* Now it's happening in Georgia and Texas.
The politicians even expect their critics to start reading the bills they've passed! They claim…
People are criticizing election law bills without having read them. The governors in both Georgia and Texas have complained about this, and the Lieutenant Governor of Texas has told critics of their election law bill to "read the damned bill ([link removed]) " so they can know what they're talking about.
We couldn't agree more. Politicians do need to read the bills. But activists, journalists, and pundits need to have time read them! For that to happen, the bills need to be a hell of a lot shorter. They should be focused on one subject ([link removed]) . There needs to be a "waiting period" before a vote is held where the final bill is posted online for us to read.
Our Read the Bills Act has all of those features, plus a powerful enforcement mechanism. But to make all of that matter...
** We need to have more politicians and citizens advocating bill reading!
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That's the path to change. It is possible for "bill reading" to follow the same positive trajectory as the movement to end or curtail drug prohibition. Please heed the call!
Support the Read the Bills Act ([link removed])
And help us recruit more people: Contribute or start a monthly pledge ([link removed]) .
Jim Babka, President
Agenda Setters by Downsize DC
Today's Action: Get more and more people supporting the Read the Bills Act ([link removed])
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