Laws worth waiting for

Now is the time in our country when we need action. We can't wait around for another attack like Sept. 11. We need to work tirelessly to improve our national security and intelligence capabilities. We need to act -- but not in haste.\nThis summer, after months of discussions, the bi-partisan 9-11 Commission released its findings in a best-selling report. Many of the recommendations included reorganizing intelligence gathering with an intelligence czar, tightening restrictions on immigrants and improved communication for first responders.\nModerate bi-partisan mavericks Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut canceled their August vacations to work on legislation that would make the recommendations in the report law. Congress and President Bush hailed the commission's insights, so why would this be a bad thing? Well, our lawmakers are trying to rush this legislation through in the last few weeks in session during a heated election year.\nFormer Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said it best last week: "We are concerned that the reforms of the magnitudes that are being talked about ... should not be rushed through in the last week of a congressional session, in the middle of a presidential election campaign."\nWhether you are conservative, liberal, executive or legislative, it seems that there have been numerous complaints over the rushed legislation. The White House came out Tuesday against parts of a Senate intelligence reorganization bill, saying it would create "a cumbersome new bureaucracy." The American Civil Liberties Union opposes immigration reforms because they will extend the Patriot Act. Even House and Senate leaders are opposed to two key commission recommendations involving reorganizing intelligence and security in Congress.\nAnother reason why rushing into things isn't necessary is because President Bush has already taken action on 36 of the 41 recommendations in the report. Whether or not the White House is far along in the process, we have to admit steps are being taken.\nIn addition, most of the legislation wouldn't take effect until after the election, and these plans are for long-range solutions about the way our government works, not about short term issues. If intelligence is reformed a month from now, it won't make much of a difference.\nRight now we have intense opposition in both the chambers of Congress and on the campaign trail. The American people can wait a month to vote for the president and congressmen before such important decisions are made. This way the people can have a say.\nWe can't let our passions regarding the 9-11 Commission to rush such important legislation. The last time legislation was rushed, we ended up with several congressmen regretting their vote for the USA Patriot Act. We need to be confident in our decisions, instead of looking back and saying, "What if?" Whether you agree with the commission's recommendations, let's take a breather and start again after the election.