Last week the reanimated shamnesty bill finally bit the dust (at least this time around). While pundits analyze the bill’s defeat as being due to this or that reason, I contend that you can’t tack weasel words on the title like a glaring earmark:
Bill before the Senate – S.1639
Title: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] (introduced 6/18/2007)
“And for other purposes?” What the hell does that mean? Now, if that doesn’t set off alarms in the wheelhouse, I don’t know what would.
In the real world, when you set out to establish a contract with a customer (or the people of America), you must, at the very least, make the intent of the language in the contract abundantly clear and succinct. Tacking words like “and for other purposes” at the end of the title should either cause fear, or uproarious laughter, depending on your position. Ain’t that right Dubya? Teddy?
Thank God that enough Americans got in contact with the Senate and raised enough hell that this bill was soundly rejected. Now, all we need to do is keep an eye on the House of Representatives and make sure that they get the message as well when their own bills emerge.