Government watchdog Public Citizen filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday seeking to nullify the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, arguing that the legislation failed to meet constitutional requirements.The lawsuit argues that the measure, signed into law by President Bush in February, fails to meet the Constitution's bicameral clause because the House and Senate did not pass identical versions of the bill. This is the second such suit filed against the legislation.
"Laws are only valid if they are passed in a constitutional way," Public Citizen attorney Adina Rosenbaum said in announcing the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She later added: "It's simple elementary school social studies."
This bill is a travesty content-wise (cutting anti-poverty programs due to Hurricane Katrina to me reaches the level of comical super-villainy), but also because it's another example of ignoring the basic fundamentals of how the system is supposed to work. And this is why we need watch dog's like Public Citizen, even if you disagree with them over 1606 and internet regulation.Now, you don't have to get me started on why this bill offends every living, breathing cell in me. In sum, helping the poor who are wet does not mean hurting the poor who are dry and its that very philosophy that is wrong with conservatism. I see lower income voters say, well, that man on welfare has it easier than I do working two jobs, so he shouldn't be on welfare, rather than saying that my two jobs should pay me more, and it drives me batty. The answer to failing the poor is not cutting anti-poverty programs. But that is not what I wanted to say.
I wanted to point out that disagreements on singular issues are just that, disagreements on issues. Public Citizen, Common Cause, Democracy 21, these guys are our friends more often then enemies. Likewise, though you might disagree with Reid or Pelosi or Schumer or Emmanuel on a particular issue, race, or candidate, these people have delivered a lot for you. Schumer has kicked Liddy Dole's ass. Emmanuel has worked tirelessly on expanding the playing field and developing targets in the D-trip, a job which is messy at times, but mostly sorely needed and greatly appreciated. Reid? Well, Reid has put his caucus in line, and pretty much kicked Frist's butt all 2005.
A simple reminder for some perspective, and hope for the defeat of this odious, unconstitutional legislation.