Your Government Scam du Jour

All I have to say about this is:  Holy.  Crap.


We are doomed.

Random, Unconnected Sunday Thoughts

The second of three Mardi Gras balls is in the rear view. Of course, I actually had to work during this last one instead of simply revelling, so I'm pretty worthless today. I don't remember the last time I spent all day Sunday on the couch without hopping up from time to time to attend to one chore or another. My most noteworthy accomplishment today has probably been to change out rolls of toilet paper and paper towels. I have yet to warm the leftovers for dinner, however, so there may be more strenuous activity in the next few hours. Even though there was no hangover to contend with, I guess I just can't party like it's 1999 anymore.

I already miss football.

For some unbeknownst reason, when I awoke this morning (to let a pushy dog out to attend to his bladder) my voice had dropped at least two octaves. I guess the crud might be returning, just in time for company. So, for the immediate future, just call me Lauren "Moogie" Bacall.

Yeah. We need a few more months of football.

Having two "Mother of the Bride" dresses in the closet from out-of-state weddings does wonders for the Ball wardrobe budget.

Have I mentioned that I miss football?

Our Young President, in my worthy and accurate opinion, is little more than a petulant, arrogant, petty tyrant intent on expanding the reach of a centralized federal government to the point where a representative Republic and separation of powers, as contemplated by the Founders, will fall by the wayside. I just hope it's not too late because we can't wait!

Football. *sigh*

We're the Government and We're Here to Help You

So.  The Young President signed the "Plain Writing Act" last fall, and it will become effective in October.  Apparently, the measure will require federal government entities to use straightforward words when communicating with John Q. Public, and to avoid "pompous gibberish" and jargon, according to the Associated Press.

At first blush, I thought how very refreshing that idea was. 

Then I read the rest of the article.  Check out what the motive behind the Act is:

"It is important to emphasize that agencies should communicate with the public in a way that is clear, simple, meaningful and jargon-free," says Cass Sunstein, a White House information and regulation administrator who gave guidance to federal agencies in April on how to implement the law.


Bad writing by the government, he says, discourages people from applying for benefits they should get, makes federal rules hard to follow and wastes money because of all the time spent fixing mistakes and explaining things to a baffled populace.

But can clarity and good grammar be legislated?

That remains to be seen. The law lacks teeth. You won't be able to sue the government for making your head spin after October. And regulations are exempted.

Good grief.  Discourages people from applying for benefits they should get?!?!  If it would continue to discourage people from applying for benefits, I'd applaud Shakespearean or King James verbiage!! 

And regs are exempted?  That's where most of the boilerplate and convolutions live!

I wonder how one gets a job as "a White House information and regulation administrator who [gives] guidance to federal agencies?"

Oh, yeah.  Now I see.  The administrator is renowned Communist, Cass Sunstein.

We're doomed.