Bringing Sunlight to Congress
Before the US House of Representatives, March 3, 2006
Mr. Speaker, Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously said, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” In order to shine sunlight on the practices of the House of Representatives, and thus restore public trust and integrity to this institution, I am introducing the "Sunlight Rule." This measure amends House rules to ensure members have adequate time to study a bill before being asked to vote on it.
What a novel concept, allow Congressmen and their staffs time to review a bill before voting on it. I can see why the powers that be are scared of such a thing. People might discover the pork they shove in all bills before it's voted on. Rep. Ron Paul is always tilting at windmills and he is after another one here. I wish him luck and admire him for his courage and persistence. Go get them Ron Paul.
We assume a common sense as the necessary condition of the universal communicability of our knowledge, which is presupposed in every logic and every principle of knowledge that is not one of skepticism. Immanuel Kant
