Diminishing Returns

For everything, there is A Point of Diminishing Returns.  We have long-since passed that Point with our laws and regulations.  America, "The Mainspring of Human Progress", is being smothered and, if we don't change course, we are headed for a state-of-chaos.

The following is offered as a way to start changing our course. It is a simple, easy to understand, nonpartisan way to assure that all new laws be shorter and clearer, easier to read and understand.  It would also, over time, improve or remove laws that are already on the books.

 

ASSERTIONS, Regarding legislators:

1.  The incentive is for them to write new law. That is how they make their mark.

2.  There is no incentive to weed-out, or improve, laws already on the books.

3.  There is little incentive to write laws that are clear and succinct.  The Founders and The Framers used 5,680 words to give us The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.  Those who wrote the Affordable Care Act used 11,588,500 words to inflict Obama Care on us.  If "Brevity is the Soul of Wit", it would surely be good for legislation, as well.

 

PROPOSED LAW  

 This law would require that, before any new legislation can become law, a like number of words, plus 10%, must be stricken from the laws that are currently in force.  

EXAMPLE: If a proposed law contains 1,000 words then 1,100 words would have to be stricken from laws that are currently on the books.

                   

 

WHAT MIGHT THIS LAW ACCOMPLISH?   

Because it would affect every new piece of legislation:

1.  Laws would be written more succinctly, making them easier to read and understand.

2.  Over time, laws already in force would become clearer.

4.  Bad law, or laws that have outlived their time, would, eventually, disappear. 

5.  Citizens would be more likely to read and understand proposed legislation.

 

FINAL WORD 

If presented and articulated properly, who could oppose such a law?  Yes, there would be those who would oppose it but their reasons would seem obvious.  Somehow, they must be benefiting from The Fog of Legislation, flimsy ground upon which to stand.