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H. L. Richardson
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What Makes You Think We Read the Bills Paperback – October 1, 1978

by H. L. Richardson (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
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Have you ever wondered what really happens when your elected representatives get together to: spend your money; write laws making some things illegal, others illegal; and, try to "satisfy" all the lobbyists at the same time? You can stop wondering. Bill Richardson has let the cat out of the bag. You'll be both amused and outraged at his tales of the day to day shenanigans in your state and national capitols. Does your legislator suddenly stop being your representative? He's just suffered Peer-Group Shift (see Chapter 12). Does The Majority Elect? (answer in Chapter 18). Have you heard gossip about Sexy Solons? (read Chapter 21). There are wildly funny chapters -- Ze Mooz (4) Burros and the Pill (9), Gangrene and the Board of Education (16) -- as well as plenty of straight talk about how and why our legislators are no longer ours. Throughout GOA founder and retired State Senator Richardson's breezy text is the underlying theme that "this can't go on much longer, enough is enough!" He offers many thoughtful reflections on why our legislatures have gone off the tracks, and scores of helpful suggestions how to put things right. By the time you reach Chapter 15 -- A Full-Time Legislature -- Yuk! -- you'll agree.
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  1. Print length
    144 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Green Hill
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1978
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.25 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0916054780
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0916054786
  8. See all details
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About the Author

Senator H. L. Richardson (Ret.) is a twenty-two-year veteran of the California State Senate. Founder of Gun Owners of California and Gun Owners of America, Richardson has focused his extensive political career on the preservation and protection of our Second Amendment rights. An active hunter and outdoorsman, Senator Richardson continues to be actively involved in state and national politics. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association for 10 years and remains an active NRA Life member. Sen. H. L. Richardson's (Ret.) unique perspectives and use of humor keep him in demand as a speaker and writer. He regularly provides colorful media commentary on a host of issues. He has written for numerous national publications, and is the author of two successful humorous political books, Slightly to the Right and What Makes You Think We Read the Bills? The latter is used as a textbook in political science classes throughout California. In his controversial book, Confrontational Politics, Senator Richardson has written a game plan for playing to win. He clearly explains his core belief that politics should be a struggle of competing ideologies, not a game of compromise and accommodation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Green Hill; 2nd edition (October 1, 1978)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0916054780
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0916054786
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.25 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 6 ratings

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H. L. Richardson

H. L. Richardson

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5 out of 5 stars
6 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

A customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of political shenanigans from the past
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2010
Verified Purchase
If you were wondering how the so-called 'great state' of CA came to be in the dire straits that it is in today, then this book is a good place to start in understanding why. You begin to see why politicians have acquired such a bad reputation for themselves over the years, like their being described as `pond scum' & shysters. This was an entertaining read & at 136 pages it was quick. But it is sad to think that this was back in 1978, & then you look at today. I leave you here with a few excerpts from the last chapter, 'God Alone' - "It would be wonderful if man were perfectible, but, alas, it will never be in this life. Perfectibility presupposes that imperfect man knows what perfection is & that an imperfect man is capable of implementing perfection. ... Human perfectibility is accomplishable only by God & by Him alone. ... Man's nature is flawed, but he is not without redeeming qualities. ... Freedom creates a dynamic force. A complex society can only survive where man's talents are allowed to prosper, individual creativity is encourages & rewarded, excellence is sought, & mediocrity is relegated to its proper station. ... Freedom necessarily elevates the individual, & as the individual improves, society benefits as a whole. What else is society than a collection of individuals? ... One need look only at the history of mankind to see the inevitability of human freedom. Man, in all of his dumbness, has been struggling upward--falling back from time to time, but ever so perceptibly advancing, painfully discovering the revealed truths of the nature of man. One truth should now be evident. Each person has inalienable rights & government's role should be limited to the protection of personal freedom. Unfortunately, America is now temporality staggering backward, away from liberty. We are submerging into the warm goo of a paternalistic government & constricting our freedom of movement. In our all too human quest for security we are offering our personal freedom as the price."
7 people found this helpful
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TCC
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for learning about legislatures
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
This hilarious book about the legislative process is as insightful as it is funny.
One person found this helpful
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Richard Rider
5.0 out of 5 stars Oldie but Goodie
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2009
While this book is not timely, the stories told are timeless and funny. Moreover, the situation has only gotten WORSE since Richardson was in the legislature.

And don't think it's just the California legislature. I've seen this over and over on the local level (San Diego County and its cities). But it's on the federal level, where they pass bills literally a 1,000+ pages long, that you'll find that too often NO ONE has read the entire bill.

It would be wonderful if this little gem was read in the nation's civics classes. Kids need to move from the THEORY of democracy to seeing how the sausage is actually made in the factory.

Richard Rider, Chairman
San Diego Tax Fighters
10 people found this helpful
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David W
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. It should be required reading in schools ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2018
Great book. It should be required reading in schools (fat chance, I know).
2 people found this helpful
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Global Octopus
5.0 out of 5 stars HLR Nails the California Legislature
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2008
HL Richardson writes a very funny and very wise book about the California Legislature, and why it was dysfunctional in its day (and a total disaster now).

He shows how a reasonably sound Central Valley businessman is sucked in to the process of government "helping people" by the system.

HLR was a conservative, but don't be deterred if you aren't. This is one of the wisest political books since another HL--Mencken.
5 people found this helpful
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