-Caveat Lector- from: http://www.impactnet.org/dirty.htm <A HREF="http://www.impactnet.org/dirty.htm">Dirty Secrets</A> ----- The Senate's Dirty Secret by: Dan McCandless (Click HERE for the author's background) In August of 1993 Representative James Inhofe, now Senator Inhofe, ( R. – Oklahoma ) stood in the well of the House of Representatives and exposed the "Secret Discharge Petition". The "Secret Discharge Petition" was used for over sixty years as rather effective tool to keep popular legislation ( debt reduction, campaign finance reform, balanced budget, etc.,) from ever becoming law. Thanks to Senator Inhofe we can now find out within a matter of minutes just where any particular member of the House stands on any issue. Their constituents can take those Representatives that profess conservatism, yet refuse to sign the Discharge Petition that would force a vote on a particular issue, to task. There is, however, in the Senate a method of stopping cold any legislation or appointment that is far more sinister. It is called the "SECRET HOLD" Over a hundred years ago one senator would put off or "hold" the passage of a bill or an appointment in order to accommodate a fellow senator. For example, let's say that senator "X" had promised a contributor (or relative) a job in exchange for a "voluntary" contribution or there was a vote due on a piece of legislation that affected his state while he was "detained" with a young female constituent and a bottle of champagne. Another senator would "hold" up the necessary action for passage until senator "X" could make it to the floor. What was once a simple "courtesy " to keep a degree of "comity" ( i.e., "I'll cover your bottom – you cover mine") in the senate has now become the most dangerous and damning threat to the people's right to know "who" is doing "what" to "whom" ever devised. The rules for using the "Senate's Secret Hold" are really quite simple: There are no rules! Unlike the "Secret Discharge Petition" that once kept House bills bottled up, the "Senate Secret Hold" has no WRITTEN RULES! What is really horrifying is that not only can senators place a "Secret Hold" but also literally ANYONE can! Yes – ANYONE! For example: "…this insidious manner of unknown people putting holds for unknown reasons on pieces of legislation…" (Senator Exon; Safety Legislation, Senate, October 08, 1994; p. s14991). By 1998, the number of KNOWN "Secret Holds" had swelled from just a few to "…there were over 42 holds in play at one time. As I mentioned, this game of legislative hide and seek was underway outside these Chambers" ( Senator Wyden; Secret Holds On Nominations And Legislation, Senate, June 22, 1998, p. s6757). On November 08, 1997 Senator Wyden made the following statement: " The irony of all this [referring to "Secret Holds"] Mr. President, is that often even Senators don't know when a hold has been placed in their name. I have had a number of Senators tell me since I've come to the Senate that they have been approached about holds. They were told they had a hold on a measure. It turned out the staff had put a hold on it without their even knowing about it." (Senator Wyden, Senate Holds, p.s12075). Not only can a Senator's staff member place a "secret Holds" on a piece of legislation – but so can a staff member of ANOTHER Senator in the name of the first Senator! Because there are no formal written rules who's to say that a lobbyist cannot place a hold on a bill? What is there to stop a senator from proposing a bill to get elected then killing their own bill with a "Secret Hold" after the election? If you honestly believe that a member of Congress wouldn't go that far – think again! It got "Read my lips – no New Taxes" Bush elected didn't it? As Mchiavelli stated "…I deem it best to stick to the practical truth of things rather than to fancies". The practical truth is those that are of a conservative philosophy are losing out and will continue to do so for one basic reason: They lack a common issue on which to focus. Liberal groups – from the Democratic Socialist of America to the Congressional Black Caucus – all have their own personal agendas yet work in unison to achieve their focused goals. To be successful, the Right must learn from the Left. Conservatives "MUST find a common issue to rally around. One such issue could be, and should be, the ABOLITION of the "Senate Secret Hold". No Republic, no Democracy can survive when those that are elected to make the laws are allowed to make their own rules. (St. Thomas Moore learned the hard way). That is an historical truth! [ Home ] [ Up ] Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1999 Impact Voters of America Last modified: April 20, 1999 ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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