Ok, I can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes. But I guess I’ll never quit wonderin’ how “the government” can keep doin’ things to help “the people”..., while screwing it up time after time.
 Might be partly ‘cuz we all refer to (and think of) ourselves as just that? The “government” and then “the people”. As if we’re not one and the same? I watch in wonder at what “the politicians” can accomplish, while exercising no common sense at all. As if they’re not only, not  part of the people, they don’t even think like ordinary people.
 For instance, in the past they’ve tried (more than once) to protect “the consumer” (not even “people”) from cable TV rate increases. Each time, the loopholes they (purposely?) left in each new law, allows the cable companies to raise rates. How does that happen? No one was “protected” but the cable companies.
 Recently they came up with the “Cash for Clunkers” law. I ‘spose it helped some people out? Mostly folks who could’ve bought a new car anyway.
 I haven’t heard, but I’m bettin’ most of the sales profits, went foreign countries. Shouldn’t it have been part of the law to make sure the new cars sold were from American companies? But then maybe I’m just old fashioned. Thinkin’ we might oughta take care of ourselves first (before it’s too late).
 And who’s brilliant idea was it to “destroy” the trade in vehicles?! Not an ordinary workin’ stiff, that’s for sure! He woulda been happy to buy one of those cheap trade in vehicles. Since the new ones cost too much for his family. Heck, lots of folks would’ve been happy just to buy some of those destroyed parts. Maybe fix up the  old “clunker” the family already owns.
 Only politicians could have dreamed that part up.
 And have you noticed how the politicians brag about every new “helpful” law? Timing the introduction of each, so they go into effect too late for the upcoming election. So by the time their true (unintended?) effects come to be felt, they can depend on “the people” to forget the bad effects before the next set of elections come along (and obligingly, we do).
 I can’t help but think It’s got to be because three quarters of ‘em are lawyers while we (the people) are not.
 Lawyers, by training, do their thinking in terms of “How do I get around this”, don’t they? That old saying, “Every rule is made to be broken”. Wonder who came up with that? I don’t. And I’m bettin’ it wasn’t a teacher, a coach or a farmer. Certainly not a parent! Nor any kind of ordinary citizen..., we don’t think that way.
  Had to be a lawyer (several of ‘em at a bar one night?) celebratin’ finding another brand new way to utter (mutter) “the truth”.
 I’ll never understand why it is we seem to have quit electin’ farmers, carpenters, small business people, even preachers for that matter? That’s always been a mystery to me. It’s as if in recent times, we actually want lawyers running the country.
 It had to be them who came up with the idea that we should have “full time” legislatures in the first place! By itself..., one of the most dangerous practices ever put into place in this (or any) country!
 You probably don’t recall, but in the beginning, our legislatures met for just a few weeks  each summer. It’s true!
 They’d get together around a few desks somewhere convenient (oftentimes a tavern). Pull a few notes out of their pockets. Notes they’d gathered while talkin’ with (and living amongst) the folks back home, remindin’ ‘em about what needed fixin’. They’d lead off talkin’ (arguin’) about important things for the first couple weeks. Finally, they’d commence writin’ up a few laws. Maybe fix one or two they’d screwed up some years before. 
 Finally they’d gather around a few tables, share a couple beers (bottle or two of wine?) enjoying a nice meal. Then go back home! (back to workin’ at “real” jobs). Yep, they went back to living amongst their neighbors (not “the people”). 
 Great system! Until someone (of the lawyers among ‘em) figured out this legislatin’ was a real cozy gig?
 From then on the “convening” of legislatures began to grow in duration. Naturally since this took more time, it musta been important work? So they wrote some laws saying they oughta pay themselves big bucks.
 I Don’t Know About You..., For what little helpin’ “the people” they accomplish? I believe a few weeks oughta be time enough!
 Cal Teeple, Found three down as well as At: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or by e-mail At: calteeple@gmail.com Founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, he may be ignored, accosted or contacted in all three.