I am astounded...and you should be, too

I strongly fear that the legislative branch of our federal government may be terminally mentally ill. The current popularly elected members just sent a bill to the President, for his signature, which deals (not very effectively) with credit card use and abuse, and deception and dubious, usurous lending practices. This legislation claims to have a direct and beneficial effect upon almost anyone in the United States who uses a credit card. Many say it is too little too late, many say it is less than worthwhile and some even say it is yet another concession to Wall Street, the banking industry and credit card companies.

Be that as it may, this legislation bears some curious amendments, one of which allows anyone who has a gun license to carry a loaded weapon into a national recreational park just because. These two legislative actions should NEVER have been considered together, never been disussed in the same breath and never been used as competitive pawns in a game of financial life and death for American consumers. The United States is in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and the debate about the many measures that may be necessary to "fix" it, has been polluted and corrupted by a curious discussion: it concerns the highly unlikely circumstance that might "require" someone to shoot a black bear. Brilliant. Genius. Astoundingly stupid. Crazy,even.

The members of the legislature who wrote and attached this amendment to the credit card reform bill should be examined very soon by a psychiatrist. Their essential thinking and logic is deeply flawed. House of Representatives and Senate members who voted for this and/or failed to object strenuously enough to prevent and avoid this sheer lunacy should be immensely ashamed of their behavior and their lack of intestinal fortitude. Their moral fabric and their personal integrity have been severely marginalized.

Put another way, these legislators fondled and had foreplay with our credit cards, and then they had unprotected sex with national gun control, in the back of an FWD SUV in Yellowstone Park, all without kissing us first.

If you are able to provide me with the the name of even one member of this once august body, who can say with a straight face that they collaborated in this act of NRA-sponsored idiocy (and moral carelessness) in good faith, and who can swear that they really and honestly believe they have participated in this travesty because they really and honestly thought it was good, in anyway whatsoever, for the American people, I will give you a medal. Good luck with that.

But these guys and gals are sick, and you (and I) elected them. You may think I am wrong. But just think about whether or not you really want to wear protective body armor on your next hike through Glacier National Park.