Sometimes, they take the sport right out of it.

Sometimes, they just line up, drop targets onto their chests and say “Shoot me.”

The Rhode Island House of Representatives plopped itself down in the public sights this week with the kind of overstuffed immobility that makes fish in a barrel seem like a challenge. Members of the House took a pass on a “we feel your pain” amendment to a midyear budget cutting bill.

The amendment would have required senators and representatives to pay a very small share — 10 percent — of their health insurance costs.

There is not a lot of money involved here. There is a ton of symbolism. In hard times, House members appear to be hanging on to perks of office that their constituents actually have to work for.

It should be pointed out that some senators and representatives voluntarily pay a share of their health costs. And there still might be legislation in the last two months of the current session to require some sharing of the load.

But an opportunity was lost. There is simply no way to justify full benefits for part-time legislators. It’s the kind of bloat that can make it seem that the perks are far too big a part of the attraction of running for office.

Members of the legislature could have gotten a lot of mileage out of simply coming forward on their own and agreeing to pay a fair share. Now, anything they do will seem like damage control. It will be a little embarrassing.

The headlines couldn’t have been clearer this week: Rhode Island is in a recession. The future looks grim. It is clearly not the time to be holding on to privileges that other people pay for.

Actually, it’s a time when all kinds of people could step up and show a real grasp of the obvious — small sacrifices go a long way in tough times. There are graceful, understanding moments to be had out there.

“I’ve got mine” is not a philosophy that plays well when a lot of people don’t have what they used to.

So when a front page story by Katherine Gregg on Tuesday pointed out that House members thought about paying a share of their health-care costs but then said “naaah,” it not only nurtured thoughts of the shooting gallery. It also pointed out how far the inside of the State House can sometimes be from the outside.

Why not close the distance by just dropping health care for senators and representatives completely? That could mean some real money saved.

After all, they have lives apart from state government. At least, most of them do. Let that other life be the one that includes the burden of health insurance. Whether they know it or not, most people don’t have part-time jobs that cover all their health insurance costs.

It’s just not healthy to give stuff to senators and representatives that make them feel special. They definitely should not feel special. Feeling special can get them in big trouble.

They are doing the people’s business up there on Smith Hill, and it is best that they know in a very personal way just what the people are putting up with every day.

So, come on, all you Rhode Island lawmakers. Step up. Shed those embarrassing legislative frills. Pay your own bills.

Then, when a constituent approaches at one of your get-togethers and complains about the high cost of health care, you’ll have some idea what the hell he or she is talking about.

You’ll feel better for it. You’ll feel closer to those you represent.

You’ll feel like just an ordinary person.

bkerr@projo.com