Leave All Reason At The Door

Yes, it's that time again. I know you have all been checking off the days and setting your palm pilot in eager anticipation. It's go time, folks. The Indiana General Assembly is back in session.

As part of my job, I get the lovely experience of camping out at the statehouse for long periods of time, becoming intimately acquainted with sections of the Indiana Code and dealing with our lovely lawmakers. (I only say the last with a minimum amount of sarcasm).

Some things I have learned from sessions past:

• Expect things to not make sense. This is not the land of rational thought.
• Everybody loves a good anecdote. If Joe Bob's cousin had trouble getting her driver's license, then it must be true. Forget facts and figures---Joe Bob knows the truth.
• There are just as many kooky Democrats as there are Republicans.
• Time does not exist. Bills will be heard according to the chair's internal clock, not any of your fancy schmancy watches.
• It's all about the Benjamins. It all comes back to money....who wants it, who's got it and who wants it back.
• Nothing burns or panics a legislator more than someone trying to take his power away. This includes the governor (whether he's their man or not), their peers in the house and the senate, the lobbyist, and the almighty voter.

So, that all being said, if you're looking for a little entertainment this spring, you might want to stop by the statehouse. It's free and you get to feel civic minded.