Perception vs. Reality

As an American I am sometimes in awe regarding what people believe or perceive and the actual reality of what the reality actually is.

Billions of dollars are spent every year for marketing research, public relations and advertising in an attempt to project an image. Among the definitions of the word image are: A mental picture of something not real or present and the opinion or concept of something that is held by the public. 

Two examples might be political promises made during a presidential race and the way legislation is passed in Washington, D.C.

Every presidential candidate makes promises. They state how they will change the way things are done or they declare how they will make a difference.

We go to the polls and vote based on much of the rhetoric and the belief our presidential choice will do what they claim. Yet, the reality is that it is impossible for one member of the Executive Branch of our government to do that. In order for the promises to be fulfilled the Legislative Branch must pass the laws.

That is to say a majority of 535 men and women who hold the office of senator and congressman or congresswoman are the ones responsible for fulfilling the promises of the president. Perception ... the president has the power to accomplish the things he or she touts. Reality ... without the approval of Congress the president's powers are greatly limited regarding the ability to provide the sweeping changes thay all claim to bring to the White House.

The second example is the way Congress actually passes majority of the bills or laws.

During the 111th Congress, in 2009, there were more than 9,000 Bills or Resolutions introduced. Of these 119 became Public Laws. Or, 1.3% of those introduced. That is the reality according to The Capital.Net,, formerly known as the COngressional Quarterly Executive Conferences,  a respected non-partisan firm for 30 years.

When we are in school we're taught how a bill is introduced and the process it goes through to become law. However, we are not taught the reality. A Bill that is introduced must be read on the floor of the respective body and it is published in the Congressional Record. Sometimes it is debated then votes cast. The next step is for the president to sign that bill into law.

BUT, and certainly a capital B U T, the reality is there are often riders attached to the bill. They do not have to be read or debated. The riders simply do as their name suggests, go along for the ride. Many times these riders are earmark pieces of legislation that inflate the proverbial pork barrel.

Some of the 2009 entries were:
$1.9 milllion for the Pleasure Beach water taxi service in Connecticut.
$1.8 million for swine odor and manure management research in Ames, Iowa.
$380,000 for a recreation center and fairgrounds area in Kotzebue, Alaska, population 3,237.

Several credible sources put this type of spending at some $19.6 billion in 2009.

It would be safe to presume more public laws are passed as riders than are ever read on the floor of the Congress.

As responsible citizens we must remember the difference between perception and reality which is defined as: The quality or state of being actual or true.

In this one person's view it is not un-American to question authority it is patriotic to demand reality.