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It wouldn't work because what would happen would be a mass reapproval of all regulations. What I'd like to see is a constitutional amendment that the total bod

It wouldn't work because what would happen would be a mass reapproval of all regulations. What I'd like to see is a constitutional amendment that the total body of federal laws and regulations can't be any longer or more complicated than a person of average intelligence can be taught in a week.

kevinpet 5y ago
Or simply require that they be read in the house / senate before a vote. Not "read" but actually read, word for word out loud, by the sponsor.
brimble 5y ago
> It wouldn't work because what would happen would be a mass reapproval of all regulations. Sunset provisions are an idea I tentatively like until I consider what happens with the fucking stupid, pointless "debt ceiling" crap Congress has decided to make themselves do. I imagine how fun it'd be watching months of idiotic brinksmanship over keeping murder illegal, because one group of legislators wants to grand-stand about abortion. Then repeat for practically everything else. No thanks.
Zak 5y ago
I used to think a limit on the total size of the law like that would be a good idea, but some areas of regulation are inherently complex. I still hold a related position: an adult of reasonable intelligence should be able to easily learn all the laws that they're likely to encounter, and learn which fields are subject to detailed regulation. To give an example, the regulations governing design of commercial aircraft can almost certainly be simplified from their current state without killing people, but probably cannot be simplified to the point that someone who isn't already an expert on aircraft design can learn them in a week without killing people. Knowing that field is subject to special rules is enough to avoid accidentally violating the regulations.
- baggy_trough 5y ago
  Currently there's no limit to the complexity that governments can inflict on us. Since there's no garbage collection process for laws/regulations, we wind up with an enormous body of legislation and regulation which almost nobody understands or adheres to. It's terrible for the rule of law.

kevinpet 5y ago

Or simply require that they be read in the house / senate before a vote. Not "read" but actually read, word for word out loud, by the sponsor.

brimble 5y ago

> It wouldn't work because what would happen would be a mass reapproval of all regulations. Sunset provisions are an idea I tentatively like until I consider what happens with the fucking stupid, pointless "debt ceiling" crap Congress has decided to make themselves do. I imagine how fun it'd be watching months of idiotic brinksmanship over keeping murder illegal, because one group of legislators wants to grand-stand about abortion. Then repeat for practically everything else. No thanks.

Zak 5y ago

I used to think a limit on the total size of the law like that would be a good idea, but some areas of regulation are inherently complex. I still hold a related position: an adult of reasonable intelligence should be able to easily learn all the laws that they're likely to encounter, and learn which fields are subject to detailed regulation. To give an example, the regulations governing design of commercial aircraft can almost certainly be simplified from their current state without killing people, but probably cannot be simplified to the point that someone who isn't already an expert on aircraft design can learn them in a week without killing people. Knowing that field is subject to special rules is enough to avoid accidentally violating the regulations.

baggy_trough 5y ago
Currently there's no limit to the complexity that governments can inflict on us. Since there's no garbage collection process for laws/regulations, we wind up with an enormous body of legislation and regulation which almost nobody understands or adheres to. It's terrible for the rule of law.