In 1964 Murray Edelman published an influential book entitled The Symbolic Uses of Politics. Edelman noted that much of what legislators do is of little or no importance, but it seems like they are actually doing something. These symbolic actions often impress their constituents, which is the whole idea.
A perfect example is the bill introduced by John Lawrence, a Republican legislator from Chester County, that would screen candidates for governor, the state legislature, and row offices for drugs. I assume they’d have to pee into a cup and send the sample off to a lab, although I haven’t read the bill.
Rep. Jerry Knowles is quoted in the Times News saying “I am a co-sponsor and support Rep. Lawrence’s bill.”
Note that this bill addresses a non-existent problem. It is completely symbolic. It is the kind of activity at which our legislators excel.
Agreed again, this is mostly symbolic. Just like the move to drug test welfare participants. Has more to do with hatred of the poor than any actual savings of tax dollars. The Tea Party types willing to thought out the constitutional rights of the poor. If they were tested at work it is likely due to safety concerns put ahead of their constitutional rights.
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