Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald 10/17/2004
During this election season we have heard some of the most outrageous claims and counter claims from both major party campaigns and the candidates themselves. Some are out and out falsehoods, others are exaggerations, and few are true.
Here in Texas, I have heard the admonition: that “If you can’t add something to a story, don’t tell it.” In the case of this election choices made may become some of the most serious in our history. We need to verify the accuracy of the claims, what the real issues are and what if anything has just been added.
For the most part the President establishes policy, provides rule in emergencies, manages the White House, and manages the Government in General by issuing Executive Orders which are published in the Federal Register and are available on the internet.
The first responsibility is that the President is the Commander of all the Armed Forces and once authorized by Congress is responsible for the prosecution of the War. The President negotiates agreements with other governments, such as N.A.F.T.A. but they only go into force when the Senate approves them.
One of the most influential functions over the long term is that the President has, is to recommend Federal Judges for appointment, including to the Supreme Court; as they affect and in reality, create new law with their decisions. However, the Senate must approve them.
After a law is passed by Congress the President can influence how that law is carried out in what Regulations are issued by the various governmental agencies to accomplish what the law says. These regulations are proposed by each agency and published in the Federal Register. Any one that is interested can comment on them prior to approval. After the period of comment is complete, the agency issues the regulation as a “Final Rule” and in the document responds to the comments giving reasons for adopting the resolution.
The President cannot pass laws; he either approves them or veto’s them. He does submit laws for Congress to pass such as the budget. Only Congress can pass laws and only the House of Representatives can initiate money related laws. They can even do it without the Presidents approval by overriding a veto. The President does not raise or lower taxes, create jobs, export jobs overseas, provide health care, etc. Congress is primarily responsible!
So how do we know what is true and what is a story?
The first stop would be to check out http://www.factcheck.org/ on the internet. Many of the Presidential myths on both sides are debunked there.
If you want specific information, the government is an enormous resource and is easily available on the internet.
To begin the search go to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ as most things can be found from there. If you need statistical information try http://www.fedstats.gov/.
It will provide city, county, and state information as well as federal.
For legislative information go to http://thomas.loc.gov/
In just a quick check I found that in the last year Senator Kerry sponsored 48 bills and co-sponsored 504. I also noted that Congressman Ortiz sponsored 7 and co-sponsored 246, Congressman Hinojosa sponsored 13 and co-sponsored 348 and Congressman Lloyd Doggett sponsored 12 and co-sponsored 287. The subject matter and status of all of these measures is easily accessible.
You can check it yourself.
In order to take more direct action in affecting what the government is doing to us, you can review and comment on Regulations in the process.
In the Herald dated 8/26 a letter to the editor asserted that George Bush passed new labor laws taking away the right of overtime from up to 6 million people, middle class Americans. This was not true as the change was contained in a regulation that anyone could have commented on, so that the government would know that there was a dispute. I personally have written comments that were made part of regulations, so I know it works. To find out about regulations and take action you can go to http://www.regulations.gov/.
You can have an impact if you only take an interest and … take action; don’t just let someone else do it. Most of all find out the truth and vote your own decision!
For the past couple of years, I have been writing letters to the editor because there is just stuff inside me that needs to get out, and a few weeks ago the Herald provided me the opportunity to be a regular contributor. I am very appreciative of the opportunity!
Since then my personal Web site has received many more visitations to read the past articles and I have been frequently stopped in the mall or the street with a comment such as “I like your articles” or “You’re nuts if you think that”. I appreciate both and encourage folks to e-mail me with comments at fred@the-drews.net. For the “info junky” everything I have written (no ads) is on my personal Web Site www.the-drews.com and any current article will be posted usually on Mondays after publication. Thanks for all your support.