It also doesn't mention the Speaker of the House crying or handing out tobacco money to the congress critters right before a tobacco vote.

Just sayin'

Well... If the house and senate disagree on a bill, the bill dies...

I assume the song mentioned that it had to pass both chambers?

Clearly that iconic cartoon needs to be updated... I suggest that cute little bill walk up to the Capitol steps and blow his brains out. Of course, that's just the optimist in me.

I'm sorry that a short cartoon educational bit fell short of conveying the legislative process that even public school civics courses cover.
Yes it was cute. No it isn't the definitive material on the subject.

Cinaed: No it isn't the definitive material on the subject.

The sad part is......that even needs to be said.
/and yet...it does

mr_a: I'm amazed that someone hasn't done a parody version about how a real bill gets passed. Maybe its finally time for "I'm just a rider".

Here you go (new window)

Clowns are a Ten: Well... If the house and senate disagree on a bill, the bill dies...

I assume the song mentioned that it had to pass both chambers?

Yup, and it does mention potentially "dying in committee", too. But it doesn't cover amendments, riders, earmarks, reconciliation, unfunded mandates, administrative filibusters, revisionist party affiliations (dis)courtesy Fox News, propaganda, loaded bill title language, judicial activism, 'independent' supreme court invariably voting on party lines, recusals and the lack thereof, congressional absenteeism, bribery (illegal and sanctioned, see lobbyists), perjury (see congressional hearings), showboating, and the difference between republican and democratic sex scandals.

/ That cut came in at a hair under sixteen hours.

Clowns are a Ten: Well... If the house and senate disagree on a bill, the bill dies...

I assume the song mentioned that it had to pass both chambers?

Not necessarily, if the points of disagreement aren't huge it can still come out of reconciliation. But, yeah, for the most part that's a decent summary of how it roughly works out.

Schoolhouse Rock never mentioned lobbyists, military contractors, or other corporate interests as far as I can recall.

But, let's not be cynical and call it propaganda.

mr_a: I'm amazed that someone hasn't done a parody version

Rule 34?

`
I think Schoolhouse Rock and Conjunction Junction should be mandatory propaganda.
/mite aktule edumakate sumbidie
\\my spellcheck says sumbidie = Cambodia
/not sure Y

mr_a: I'm amazed that someone hasn't done a parody version

A parody version of "No more kings" explaining why all British people have affordable health care while tens of millions of Americans don't would be very amusing.

I don't remember schoolhouse rock saying that the constitution can be amended with a simple majority vote, or anything about signing statements. Yet we have a lot of that going on right now, and nobody says a word.

FTFA:

"Baby boomers and Congress have helped keep "Bill" alive. Frishberg said someone once told him that the "Bill" song and cartoon had been used to orient freshman lawmakers on Capitol Hill. "I was honored, but horrified at the same time, when I heard that," he said."

That is pretty horrorifying.

It reminds me of during the debt ceiling debacle when the GOP had to sit all their freshmen down and have economists give them a pre Econ 101 talk about what default would mean, and then had to do it again a few days later.

It boggles the mind to see people so ignorant of the country and it's laws get elected to surprisingly high positions in government.

vernonFL: Schoolhouse Rock was made in the 1970s, when taxes were higher, there was no internet, microwave ovens, cable tv or video games. The world is a very different place now.

Less emphasis on education, for one..

Kid: Hey, who left all this garbage on the steps of Congress?
Amendment: I'm not garbage.

(starts singing)

I'm an amendment-to-be, yes an amendment-to-be,
And I'm hoping that they'll ratify me.

There's a lot of flag-burners,
Who have got too much freedom,
I want to make it legal
For policemen to beat'em.

'Cause there's limits to our liberties,
At least I hope and pray that there are,
'Cause those liberal freaks go too far.

(spoken)
Kid: But why can't we just make a law against flag-burning?
Amendment: Because that law would be unconstitutional.
But if we changed the Constitution...
Kid: Then we could make all sorts of crazy laws!
Amendment: Now you're catching on!
Kid: What if people say you're not good enough to be in the
Constitution?

(sings)

Amendment: Then I'll crush all opposition to me,
And I'll make Ted Kennedy pay.
If he fights back, I'll say that he's gay.

(spoken)
Congressman: Good news, Amendment! They ratified ya!
You're in the US Constitution!
Amendment: Oh yeah! Door's open boys!

Why are the Democrats being such children? The Republicans are the only ones willing to actually work on this and help American families. All the Democrats want to do is hold American's money hostage in order to play a little politics.

The Republicans are the only adults in the room on this issue.

Grow up Democrats and actually do something to help America, not just your own party.

Citrus Shindig: Why are the Democrats being such children? The Republicans are the only ones willing to actually work on this and help American families. All the Democrats want to do is hold American's money hostage in order to play a little politics.

The Republicans are the only adults in the room on this issue.

Grow up Democrats and actually do something to help America, not just your own party.

2/10

vernonFL: I hope the payroll tax cut expires

People who work should pay into Social Security.

You mean... like now?

vernonFL: Raise the Social Security tax. Social Security is worth paying for.

WTF do you think they voted for? Extend payroll tax cut AND increase taxes by 1.9% on millionaires to pay for it. 89 senators. And the pussy ass tea party says 'No'.

I'm just a Bill. I don't count for much. I'm not nearly as important as something decided by a super-committee, whatever that is. And the president can ignore me as much as he likes. He can use signing orders to make me null and void, or he can declare that I'm a threat to national security, and then I'm double-secret null and void. There can be secret provisions in me, because TERROR, that not even the committee members who create me are allowed to read. Those secret parts don't get ignored, even though they are quickly forgotten by everyone except a small group of people who make lots and lots and lots of money from them.

CPennypacker: Citrus Shindig: Why are the Democrats being such children? The Republicans are the only ones willing to actually work on this and help American families. All the Democrats want to do is hold American's money hostage in order to play a little politics.

The Republicans are the only adults in the room on this issue.

Grow up Democrats and actually do something to help America, not just your own party.

2/10

Aw, can't refute my point? Resort to labelling my post a troll? Typical....You're just like your sad, sad party.

mr_a: I'm amazed that someone hasn't done a parody version about how a real bill gets passed. Maybe its finally time for "I'm just a rider".

I think the filibuster / cloture needs its own song as well.

vernonFL: Raise the Social Security tax. Social Security is worth paying for.

I agree. Make all wages subject to the tax, no caps, and means test benefits for all recipients. With these two changes you could lower the actual tax rate and still solve the S.S. insolvency "problem."

Citrus Shindig: CPennypacker: Citrus Shindig: Why are the Democrats being such children? The Republicans are the only ones willing to actually work on this and help American families. All the Democrats want to do is hold American's money hostage in order to play a little politics.

The Republicans are the only adults in the room on this issue.

Grow up Democrats and actually do something to help America, not just your own party.

2/10

Aw, can't refute my point? Resort to labelling my post a troll? Typical....You're just like your sad, sad party.



And of course you're a troll. FFS, your name is a euphimism for Lemon Party.

RyogaM: vernonFL: Raise the Social Security tax. Social Security is worth paying for.

I agree. Make all wages subject to the tax, no caps, and means test benefits for all recipients. With these two changes you could lower the actual tax rate and still solve the S.S. insolvency "problem."

[bodysnatchers_socialism.jpg]

Citrus Shindig: Why are the Democrats being such children? The Republicans are the only ones willing to actually work on this and help American families. All the Democrats want to do is hold American's money hostage in order to play a little politics.

The Republicans are the only adults in the room on this issue.

Grow up Democrats and actually do something to help America, not just your own party.

Republicans: Include Keystone XL or we won't pass the payroll tax cut extension. Democrats: Ok, done. Republicans: Take out the tax on millionaires or we won't pass the payroll tax cut extension. Democrats: Ok, done. Republicans: You know what? We aren't going to pass it anyway, it might seem like a win for the president. kthanksbye.

Citrus Shindig: CPennypacker: Citrus Shindig: Why are the Democrats being such children? The Republicans are the only ones willing to actually work on this and help American families. All the Democrats want to do is hold American's money hostage in order to play a little politics.

The Republicans are the only adults in the room on this issue.

Grow up Democrats and actually do something to help America, not just your own party.

2/10

Aw, can't refute my point? Resort to labelling my post a troll? Typical....You're just like your sad, sad party.

What point?

1/10

vernonFL: I honestly dont see what is the big deal. What is this, a two or three percent tax hike? Its not even a tax hike, since the money goes towards Social Security.

If Americans want to have programs like Social Security, then we need to pay for it.

Are you insane? I just explained this. It is paid for in the bill - 1.9% hike on millionaries.

vernonFL: RyogaM: vernonFL: Raise the Social Security tax. Social Security is worth paying for.

I agree. Make all wages subject to the tax, no caps, and means test benefits for all recipients. With these two changes you could lower the actual tax rate and still solve the S.S. insolvency "problem."

Is there a limit? What is the limit now? Iis there a limit of income after which you dont have to pay SS tax?

107,000. After that, you no longer pay S.S.

Cinaed: Yes it was cute. No it isn't the definitive material on the subject.

FTA:"Frishberg said someone once told him that the "Bill" song and cartoon had been used to orient freshman lawmakers on Capitol Hill."

Apparently, yes it is.

coeyagi: vernonFL: I honestly dont see what is the big deal. What is this, a two or three percent tax hike? Its not even a tax hike, since the money goes towards Social Security.

If Americans want to have programs like Social Security, then we need to pay for it.

Are you insane? I just explained this. It is paid for in the bill - 1.9% hike on millionaries.



He's not 'insane.' There's something to be said for not creating a situation where the tax can never be raised again -- and instead of being 'a trust fund' it becomes some kind of wealth redistribution system.

Citrus Shindig:
You bringing anything to the discussion other than broad insults, or should I just go ahead and ignore you?

Cinaed: I'm sorry that a short cartoon educational bit fell short of conveying the legislative process that even public school civics courses cover.

Sad thing is, it's infinitely more comprehensive than the average voter's knowledge of the legislative process.

vernonFL: coeyagi: vernonFL: I honestly dont see what is the big deal. What is this, a two or three percent tax hike? Its not even a tax hike, since the money goes towards Social Security.

If Americans want to have programs like Social Security, then we need to pay for it.

Are you insane? I just explained this. It is paid for in the bill - 1.9% hike on millionaries.

Why should the wealthy have to pay for the poor? Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?

Why? Because they used to - they used to pay for a LOT more. And beyond that, if the poor can't pay for shiat, who do you think is going to make the wealthy wealthy?

For fark sake's man, it's not about creating income equality, it's about preserving a middle class.

vernonFL: 107,000. After that, you no longer pay S.S.

Which would include congress, the Senate, the President, the Supreme Court, Cabinet members, governors, mayors, etc..


Point of clarification: they all pay in to SS.

They're just done paying in to SS in April.

/assuming no other source of not-under-the-table income, on the Presidential salary