Conservative Group Launches a "Pledge to Read" Campaign Aimed at Congressmen
ByLibraries and nonprofits across the country are gearing up for summer reading programs aimed at fostering a love of the written word in young people. We’re usually not overly enthusiastic about “programs” of any sort, but these are some of the best.
That’s why we were thrilled to learn about a reading pledge program a conservative group, Let Freedom Ring, is putting together for Congress. Let Freedom Ring is asking you to send a pledge form to your congressman so that they can promise to read health care legislation before voting on it. They’d also like assurance that the health care bill will be posted online for everyone else to read at least 72 hours before the vote. We think it would be even better if every congressman got a golden-star sticker for finishing their reading list, but even without such nicities, the pledge program is a great idea.
We aren’t naive enough to believe that Congress can operate the way it does today with Congressman reading the text of everything they vote on, but then again, we don’t think Congress should operate the way it does today. An oath to read every item voted on would drastically increase accountability and slow down the congressional momentum to legislate away our liberty. Let Freedom Ring has a point and health care isn’t a bad place to start. The media can contribute to this effort as well by asking questions to qualify members of congress as experts on health care legislation before a discussion rather than simply assuming they are qualified to weigh-in on the subject. The first question for any congressman who hasn’t signed the pledge might be: Have you ever read the text of the bill we are about to discuss?
Having said that, we don’t expect too many members to sign the pledge concerning their oath to read the health care legislation. However, the part of the oath concerning public disclosure via the internet before the vote is more realistic and just as important. The real work in disecting and understanding proposed legislation will be done by staffers, lobbyists, lawyers, think tank folks, and a few concerned citizens. Giving these folks time to arm congressmen and the media with key facts and a better understanding of the controversial points in a bill before the vote is one way to have a better debate in congress and across the nation.
To visit the download page, for the congressional “pledge to read,” click the image below:
Congressional Reading Pledge
