LUI: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
We are all familiar with the phrase, "driving under the influence", though in some areas it may be worded differently. Well, today, after hearing several audio clips of Ted Kennedy, I was inspired to conceive a new protection for the public; it is time for a new law making it illegal to legislate while under the influence. I hereby propose that all legislators be required to pass a breathalyzer test to assure that their deliberations are truly sober.
And, I wouldn't object if this began a trend which lead to toxicology tests for banned substances in these same law-making individuals. It seems to be okay to test ball players, and their jobs are not all that important compared to the tasks we expect our leaders to fulfill on our behalf. So, why not know if they are doping? Sure, many ball players have better years than do our politicians, but isn't that all the more reason to be certain that we are getting the most wholesome of effort from the underachieving pols? And, not an excuse to deem them unworthy of meeting standards.
Further, would we not benefit from hooking them all up to polygraghs (the politicians)? Sure, we know already know when they are lying, their lips move, but isn't it sometimes necessary to have the proof in order to obtain a conviction?
And don't we wish we had tests which could accurately predict which ones are crooks, or pedophiles, or traitors?
And then there is the written exam, if they can't pass a combined history, American government, economics, mathematics, ethics, law, logic, and current events exam, they must go home; no passing GO, no collecting pensions or earmarks.
Sure, if I get my way, Washington will be a lonely place, but it will populated by an informed, conscientious, purpose driven and sober body. And I'll drink to that. Now, how do we our legislators to make a law which will cause so many of them to lose their jobs?
Update: January 20, 2007
The Oregon Legislature has a bill before them which, " Requires that certain public officials submit to drug test two times every calendar year. Specifies consequences of refusing or failing test." In PDF file form here
Also, noted here, and earlier here.
The Portland Mercury takes the high road on the subject.
