Blame Ross Perot

Charts, maybe even more than PAC donations, have become the weapon of choice as the health-care debate grinds on in Congress. A closer look:

-- Is health care provoking more charts than any other issue?

Yes. By one count there have been 148 health-care-related charts in the House, vs. five to 10 for the crime bill.

-- Can lawmakers go on the floor of the House or Senate and stick any damn thing they want on an easel?

No. In 1986, after television cameras were allowed on the floor, the Senate Rules Committee issued regulations regarding visual aids. Display material can...

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