This is an edited analysis I posted to RugerForum this evening, regarding the "final" Obamacare bill and the public's 72-hour window.

I wonder how fast the supporters read?

Consider that, out of a 24 hour day, we're awake only about 16 hours. Even people at home on the dole have to eat and that knocks out an additional 2 hours per day. So multiply 14 hours a day times 3 to get 42 open hours. King Obozo says 72 hours, but at best he actually means 3 days and at worst 3 days could technically span just 48 hours and 1 second (or 28 usable hours). But let's give him the benefit of the doubt and count this as 42 hours.

According to Google, the average number of words per page in a book is 250. The number of words per 8x11 page varies wildly, from around 250 to almost 800, so let's just go with that 250 (double spacing cancels size increase). At 2000 pages, this health control bill has an estimated 500000 words.

Dividing the number of words by the number of minutes yields a rate of 198 words per minute. Keep in mind that is for 14 hours per day over 3 days with no distractions. No bathroom breaks, no dog walking, no RugerForum, no nothing.

Wikipedia puts proofreading speed (you'd better be reading to comprehend) on a computer monitor at 180 words per minute. Uh oh. If this is an average, at least half of America never even had a chance. Fortunately, Wikipedia's corresponding number for printed paper is 200 words per minute.

Except, of course, that the Xerox Phaser 3600 laser printer I just bought prints 40 pages per minute at a cost of 50 minutes and $20 to $25 in toner. God help you if you have an inkjet, as HP's Deskjet D2660 boasts up to 28 but their budget model only offers up to 20. That works out to between 71 and 100 minutes...before 3 ink replacements (approximately $120). Nor does either figure factor in reloading the paper tray between 4 and 40 times.

We all know that, even if one is reading page X as page X+Y^Z prints, changing consumables is not penalty free but let's just look at the fiscal cost. A ream of paper, or 500 sheets, for $6 at Staples multiplied by 4 is another $25. Your cost to print this bill, assuming you already have the printer, is between $45 and $145. Remember, at minimum wage (currently $7.25), that second figure is 3 days take-home pay and even for "overpaid" middle management state employees it only drops to about 1. Oh, and don't forget that 10% or more of the country is unemployed too.

I've really given them the benefit of the doubt here. Assuming a reasonable interpretation of 72 hours. Assuming they can take three days off at a moment's notice. Assuming they are at least average readers with incredible focus. Assuming that legalese is every bit as comprehensible as a mass market novel. Assuming peak printing performance or the ability to effortlessly manage the sheer volume of input/output.

So, in light of all of those facts and calculations, we are supposed to believe that expecting the average American to devote the entirety of 3 waking days and at least 1 day's pay is some sort of high water mark for transparency?