How A Bill Becomes Law

Exhibit A is what they taught me in high school civics class. Exhibit B is what they taught me in grad school public choice class. Is either one right? Is either one wrong? What do those words even mean? I don't know, ask Donald Wittman.

In a previous post I brought up a very libertarian episode of The Simpsons in which the family visits Washington. The "janitor" at the U.S. Capitol tells them: "Let's just say I know how a bill becomes a law." Lisa starts in with: "Oh that's easy. First it's introduced then it goes to committee..." but is quickly interrupted: "Wrong! That's wrong!" In that case, the optimal strategy was to attach your bill to a more popular one (such as the "Flags for Orphans" bill).

Of course, there is another way to win legislation in your favor: you buy it. And a front page Washington Post story titled "Dairy Industry Crushed Innovator Who Bested Price-Control System" exhibits this quite well. I suggest that you print this out, and the next time someone asks what all of us crazies are doing at GMU, just show them this story.

Apparently, I'm supposed to be studying for the public choice final. But somehow, I think that I am.