A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL UPDATE 1
BACKGROUND HEALTH CARE PROPOSAL
All citizens are quite familiar with the rancorous debate that has been raging on the subject of health care in the USA. Our Congressional Representatives and Senators have faced their constituency in various forums including Town Hall Meetings.
Some of our representative chose to sit the process out and opted to meet by teleconference or pre-selected groups to evade the rancor of their constituents.
Much of the rancor has been fostered by lack of clarity in the various formulated bills. The fact that lawyers formulate bills is a direct cause of this lack of clarity
WHAT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution is a great document, which is the foundation upon which this great nation was founded. The Constitution clearly enumerates the powers of the Federal Government and the powers reserved to the Various States. In the 9th and 10th Amendments it is stated that, the people specifically hold all powers not so enumerated.
The Constitution lays out a specific manner for Congress to enact laws, but the Constitution is not specific on by whom the laws are written. Nor is the language of laws specifically enumerated by the Constitution
MY LEGESLATIVE PROPOSAL
In the home of Tom Whitworth, Moundsville, West Virginia, September 3, 2009 this proposal is put forth for consideration by all legislative bodies within the borders of the United States of America. If adopted this proposal would become one of The Laws of The Nation.
1. From this time forward all new bills written for consideration shall be written in plain English.
2. Bills will clearly contain a list of all things that they intend to accomplish.
3. Bills will clearly contain a list of all things that they do not intend to accomplish.
4. The resulting cost of enacting any legislation based on the bill shall be stated. In the case cost is over multi-year periods the estimated costs shall be stated for a minimum time of five years.
All enacted laws must be evaluated periodically to evaluate its efficacy. A minimum period for the evaluation would be 2 years. Failure to perform intended purpose or performing unintended purpose or exceeding cost estimates by more than 10% per year would result in immediate nullification of the law unless a specific legislated extension (also written as described herein) is passed by the legislative body.
5. If lawmakers feel there is a necessity for laws to be translated into legalese, a non-partisan panel shall accomplish this process. If any dispute develops due to this translation process the power of law reverts to the plain English Version.
6. SEE COMMENTS OF A TEXAN BELOW REGARDING RAISING REVENUE.
LETS GIVE IT A TRY. WE HAVE MUCH TO GAIN AND WE HAVE MUCH TO LOSE.
UPDATE 1 WIN FRIENDS
7. If you are the President give a speech before a joint session of Congress. Reiterate your position quite forcefully.
Be sure to win NEW friends. THREATEN TO CALL OUT ANY ONE WHO DOESN'T AGREE WITH YOU!!!!!!!
Comments
AUTHORPamela,
I have to unfortunately agree with your comment. I do think citizen legislators would do a much better job than professional politicians.
There is so much corruption in the system it is difficult for a normal citizen to raise enough MONEY to challenge the corrupt politicians. I am still dreaming a new day may dawn.
Thanks for the visit and your kind and insightful comment.
Sounds great. It will probably never happen unfortunately. We meed the bulk of congress replaced by normal people that know how to run a business, etc. Too many lawyers now!
- AUTHOR
bgamall,
I thought we were promised the most transparent government of all time! LOL :)
Tom this would be too transparent. :)
- AUTHOR
Tony,
Thanks for your comment. I believe it would be great. I can't understand why it can't be tried. I can think of nothing else that has the potential capacity to restore "some" trust in government.
- AUTHOR
James,
Sorry my engineering education got the best of me!
OMG !!! Some pragmatic thinking . Would that not be just great ?
Stop making sense!
This is a great proposal. I'm with you. Excellent Hub.
- AUTHOR
Smireless,
Thanks for stopping by.
Hear! Hear!
- AUTHOR
Tex, I'm behid you 100%. I had just logged back on to edit the HUB concerning revenue raising being specific and also in plain English. You said it better than I could.
Is horse whipping enough? If any lobbiest are involved maybe they should be kneecapped.
Many thanks for stopping by, and for your comments.
- AUTHOR
jiberish,
if they can't speak plain English shame on us for electing them. Thank you for you comment.
Only if it were just that easy. Any cost allotted to a bill would be wrong unless it was scored by an outside auditing agency that should be included in your bill also if the bill fails to achieve its goal the Author and sponsors can be horsewhipped. Bet that would cut down on unnecessary legislation!
This would be great, however, in the real world, they can't even speak in plain English. Good Hub. Welcome.
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