Why does size matter?

Regardless of your view of the current versions of the House and Senate health care reform bills, I want to discuss one of the most common criticisms I've heard. Each bill is just over 2,000 pages, and if heated rhetoric of opponents is to be believed, this fact alone warrants purging this great country of the overstuffed turkeys the bills have become.

That criticism relies on an unspoken assumption that there is a correct page length for this legislation (and presumably any other legislation). Further, I must assume that those who mock the bill's size know the number of pages the legislation should require, but withhold the information to maintain an edge in the debate. I love the similarity to one of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies - Amadeus. Mozart had just finished performing an early opera for a packed house, including Emperor Joseph II. Afterwards, upon their meeting, the Emperor feels pressed to comment. As levying praise on this young, unorthodox composer might seem unstately, the Emperor instead says that there were "too many notes...just cut a few and it will be perfect." A disgruntled Mozart snidely asks, "Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?"

While I say that half-tongue-in-cheek, I do detest naysayers who will do no more for the debate than proffer an idea that requires no significant thought, but that makes for a convincing-sounding soundbite and has the ability to rally the masses who similarly have no interest in critical thinking. Let me be clear, I understand the motive, and I appreciate the intelligence of the tactic. One thing I really enjoy about politics is that I love to hate so many aspects of it.

But come on, man! For the most part, the people who dream up those tactics actually understand the nuances in the bill. I just wish the average American who serves as prey for the opinion-shapers would reject criticism that lacks substance and demand insightful analysis. And if that analysis is not offered by your opinion show of choice, then go straight for the facts by reading the bill itself or by reading the many crosscuts of analysis available on the Congressional Budget Office's website (www.cbo.gov).

When I used to teach the Rules of Golf, I heard people say over and over that reading the Rules is like reading the tax code - overly complex and difficult to understand. I always relied on the simple truth that I first read by Rules sage Richard Tufts: "Golf is a complex game and we must expect the Rules to reflect that fact."

A lot of legislation is very complex, and we should expect the length of bills to reflect that fact. A long bill is not, by definition, weak. So let's move past such trite observations and delve into the issues. That's where real education can begin and where real debate can take place.