1100 pages for just $787B

Representative John Boehner (R-Ohio) brings up a good point today, speaking in front of the House, heaving a mountain of paper onto the floor. That mountain: the stimulus bill expecting a House vote today, rewritten last night and amounting to over 1,100 pages and a total tab of $787 billion.

Mr. Boehner explained that not a single representative had read the entire bill since its reformed completion late last night, and expressed his doubt that it was even possible for a person to read so many pages in so little time. As college students expected to tackle heavy reading loads every week, I think we can all agree that 1,100 pages is a bit much for one night.

President Obama campaigned on the promise of a reformed Washington with greater transparency. Obviously, the economy needs action now. But rushing this bill through a vote before Americans even have a chance to grasp the breadth of its policies and the depth of its spending effectively sets that mountain before the eyes of Americans and blinds them to the true content of this bill. The president can publish this bill for all to see and claim transparency, but if if it passes before anyone has a chance to even peruse the 1,100 pages, then the administration has failed to deliver on its promise.

Shouldn't Americans have a chance to judge this bill, in its enormity, for what it is before it goes to Obama's desk and turns into a reality?