Philosophy Now Forum

I have a hunch that simplicity in legislation and constitution is normally better than complexity. For example, the text of Obamacare could have simply been made to say that a small tax would be levied, and it could have added a procedure for medical professionals to collect their own share of the funds based on services rendered. Instead there was a document that defied all sound judgement based on its volume.

What we need is not minute regulation but scalable regulation. We should have a law which states simply: No one shall cause pollution. There are ways to neutralize pollution and still have functional industry. That's just a little more expensive. But the present laws allow some pollution which, in the long run, is much more costly.

And lastly, the regulation of socialism is ridiculous. All you need is a flat tax and equal division. Just say something like: Take 5% tax from everyone, and divide it equally. If anyone needs a little extra money, then they have it—no headaches from trying to figure out if someone needs aid. It's scalable.

Systematic wrote:We should have a law which states simply: No one shall cause pollution.

No one would even be able to start up a vehicle or turn on their TV, let alone manufacture anything.

All you need is a flat tax and equal division. Just say something like: Take 5% tax from everyone

Many people believe that the more you earn, the more tax you should pay, how would you keep all those happy?

Sensible, co-operative people could make simple laws and abide by them.
We are not sensible, co-operative people.

Harbal wrote:

Systematic wrote:

All you need is a flat tax and equal division. Just say something like: Take 5% tax from everyone

Many people believe that the more you earn, the more tax you should pay, how would you keep all those happy?

- 5% of more income, is more revenue, which should make any who declare less income, who are also petty and envious, happy not because their 5% amounts to less tax moolah for The Man, but happy because someone else is also suffering, at least in proportion.

Skip wrote:Sensible, co-operative people could make simple laws and abide by them.
We are not sensible, co-operative people.

- Simple laws are easier for the uncooperative and non-sensible to abide. Simple laws tend to be totalitarian, good and bad, black and white, 3 strikes you’re out (Bill Clinton). Complex laws are filled with loopholes crafted by and for lobbyists.

- Obamacare was Frankenstein legislation from the get-go even to quasi-define its legality, and it’s falling apart, being patched up, quite a mess. This is what happens without legislative deliberation, when laws are written under the advice of consultants and railroaded through the process, without the deliberation of any opposing viewpoint. That is another form of totalitarianism in effect, if not name.

Plain language legislation is sensible, minimal, legislation (or, it can be). To see it come to be you need a citizenry who gives a shit, who self-directs, and who takes a dim view of being told what to do (as individuals, and in groups).

As no nation is currently populated by such folks, expect legislation to continue to be arcane.

...and some folks just wanna pay sensible prices for the products and services they use, no matter who or what the vender might be.

If I go the grocery to buy milk, I'll have problem if told I also gotta buy milk for the fellow behind me.

Got no money? Get thee to a charity. Get the hell outta my wallet.

does mankind bear the responsibility of other people's welfare or only their own selves?

what do you do with the homeless and the poor?

should they be eliminated?

if you eliminate them it would no longer be America.

than you have to pay taxes for concentration camps

than you will be afraid for your very own lives.

than you wouldn't be able to buy a love one thing