Recent buzz about the reconcilation of house and senate versions of a bill that includes a (quiet) provision that will allow for the acquisition of Federal assets at very low cost has got me thinking...
Even in my small group of acquaintances, I know 2 folks who became wealthy through familiarity with provisions in Federal Law that they could turn to their advantage by timing and entrepreneurship. As such things go, I'm sure they are very small potatoes. Additionally, I have no idea whether they used honest or dishonest means to gain their advantage. However, someone, somewhere was responsible for writing legislation that offered what seems unfair or unearned advantage to those willing and disposed to take advantage of it.
Seems there have been many such opportunities discretely slipped into legislation with little or no public disclosure but designed to benefit only one or very few folks who are privileged to know about it. Likewise, amendments pursuant to one political agenda, or another.
Is there any mechanism designed to bring these incidences to light and to chronicle who takes what advantage of them as time goes by? I have felt that the internet, more specifically the 'Web, and specific activities such as dailyKOS offer the perfect vehicle to supply that illumination. Of course, the internet can help assure accountability for any number of other things, too, which ordinarily go unnoticed.
But in this day of 'one hand washes the other,' perhaps the common good, slippery concept though it might be, would be well served by such an endeavor.
danz