How a Bill Becomes a Law

9 steps. That's how many stages a good, sometimes even noble, idea goes through on its way to becoming a wheezing, debt-laden, favors-all-around piece of prime pork that we call a passed legislative bill. Ah, but that's the pessimist's view. As this slickly produced, entertaining, and educating tour of the legislative branch of government points out, the many steps between the introduction of a proposed bill and its final signing actually work as a series of checks and balances to prevent railroading specious laws through the system (that's the optimist's view). How a Bill Becomes a Law talks with kids on the street, lobbyists, and legislators about the 10,000 bills submitted each year, and the ways (good and bad) that lawmakers use to pare that mountain of legislation down. While not dwelling on the tomfoolery (polite term) that can go on behind closed Congressional doors, the video does offer a realistic appraisal of how politics works (campaign contributions and deals are mentioned), but, overall, the program is decidedly upbeat, and concludes with a stirring exhortation to young adults to get involved, register to vote, and make their voices heard. Highly recommended for larger collections. (R. Pitman)