Just because a law is passed to address a problem, does not mean the problem is addressed. Passing a law against racism does not end racism. Passing a law to address hunger does not end hunger. Unfortunately, many in Washington seem to believe that once they pass a law or adopt a new regulation, their work is done. It doesn't matter if the issue has been properly or effectively addressed. They pass legislation, allott funds, delegate responsibility, then move on to the next issue. If they are pressed about the issue, they state that they have "taken action" and so demonstrated their resolve. If the issue at hand is unemployment, they will avow their determination to draft or enact legislation or point to the steps they have already taken to address it. If the legislation is enacted, they claim victory, point to the merits of their actions, and consider their duty done and conscience clean.
Similarly, many advocacy groups will demand legislation to address some issue they find of concern. They insist that a law be passed to discourage or limit an objectionable behavior or that new regulations and laws be passed to encourage more helpful activities or address some pressing issue. If those laws are passed, and the regulations are enacted, they too will consider their mission accomplished, at least for the time being, and claim victory in their newsletters.
After the laws are passed, the regulations enacted, and the policies adopted, it is left to the bureaucrats to administer and enforce those regulations and policies, which they do with a numbing disinterest and inefficiency. This is of little concern to Congress or the lobbyists who labored for the adoption of those laws and policies however, since their job was to get them enacted, not to see if they are helpful or effective.
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