So We Have This Spam Law And...
So why am I getting more spam than ever? Maybe it's because attempting to stop a technological problem with non technological methods is ineffective. Having lawmakers, who are about as computer literate as my grandmother, instead having staffers do most of their computer based work, attempting to craft a law complex enough to stop the deluge of garbage, is laughable.
There are plenty of technocrats available who would gladly give their expertise and input to solve spam issues. However, Congress has not made use of them. Why not? Is it because they believe that geeks are not savvy enough in the ways of politics to mix geek speak with Congress speak? Or is it instead because they wanted to seem as if they were doing something when in actuality, nothing was accomplished?
In many cases of issues of popular opinion, the Congressional band-aid approach works just fine. The issue may be popular, but the actual non-effects of the feel good legislation are only felt by a few. The vast majority of the voters think that the Congress Critter has done a wonderful thing and continue to vote for him or her. Win for Congress without much effort. However, this method may likely lose bigtime in an arena where everyone is affected and the law is obviously bogus.
Perhaps next time, they might actually ask people with useful input.