PCS Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/02/22/howard.too.much.law/index.html?hpt=C2 Too much law suffocating AmericaBy Philip K. Howard, Special to CNN February 23, 2010 8:31 a.m. EST New York (CNN) -- The paralysis of Washington is becoming intolerable. Last week's headlines tell the story: • President Obama appointed a deficit-reduction commission to recommend the hard choices that our elected representatives won't make. • A popular Democratic senator, Evan Bayh of Indiana, announced he will not stand for re-election, citing "too much partisanship and not enough progress." • Washington can't even spend stimulus money -- The Government Accounting Office reported that barely 10 percent of a $5 billion program to weatherize almost 600,000 homes had been spent because of red tape. But what's the source of this paralysis? It's certainly true that there's excess partisanship, and special interests have too much influence. Both parties are guilty, with Democrats selling out to the trial lawyers to prevent any malpractice reform and Republicans engaging in scare tactics about "death panels." But I have a different take: The partisanship is mainly a symptom of a deeper powerlessness. Politicians posture and point fingers because they've learned it's impossible to take responsibility. *click link for more* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjTj Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 That's a good slogan, but his proposals Rebuilding health care based on the principle of individual responsibility requires no genius. The basic changes are just common sense: (1) pay doctors based on overall results, not piecework reimbursement; (2) require patients who can afford it to pay a meaningful portion of their care; (3) reward patients for healthy lifestyles; (4) minimize defensive medicine by creating a reliable system of medical justice; and (5) replace the bureaucratic overhead and complexity with periodic audits to make sure people aren't cheating.sound like a lot more laws. :whoknows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibbsFactor Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I feel for the attorneys. Poor guys can't keep up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aREDSKIN Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Shakespeare had it righ centuries ago. "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 99.9% of lawyers ruin the reputation of the rest of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I feel for the attorneys. Poor guys can't keep up. Shakespeare had it righ centuries ago."The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." 99.9% of lawyers ruin the reputation of the rest of them I don't think this is about lawyers lol...I think it's about bureaucracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 99.9% of lawyers ruin the reputation of the rest of them What do you call 50 lawyers in a sunken ship at the bottom of the ocean? A good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Are you one of the 50? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I don't think this is about lawyers lol...I think it's about bureaucracy. Look at how many of them make our laws and regulations. They are the bureaucracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 The administrative state - the fourth branch of government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmacop Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 99.9% of lawyers ruin the reputation of the rest of them What's the difference between a dead skunk in the road and a dead lawyer in the road? There are skidmarks in front of the skunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 David Boaz: War may be the most awful thing men do, but slavery is also a contender for that title. Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997) tells a fascinating story about a ship full of Africans who turned up in New England in 1839. The question: Under American law, are they slaves? A long legal battle ensues, going up to the Supreme Court. Libertarians like to joke about lawyers. Sometimes we even quote the Shakespeare line, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" -- not realizing that that line was said by a killer who understood that the law stands in the way of would-be tyrants. Amistad gives us a picture of a society governed by law; even the vile institution of slavery was subject to the rule of law. And when the former president, John Quincy Adams, makes his argument before the Supreme Court, it should inspire us all to appreciate the law that protects our freedom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 we should hire more lawyers, preferably with nice salaries and benefits, starting around 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Sick Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Too much information is suffocating America. Lobbying and $ is the biggest problem in DC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Everyone hates lawyers ... until they need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sacase Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 more laws means more money for counties and cities. You break some minor law its gonna cost you at least 100. 30 for the fine and 60 in court costs and 10 in whatever other fee they can throw in. The more stuff they make illegeal the more money they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancalagon the Black Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 David Boaz: David Boaz has clearly never, ever read the play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Why don't sharks bite lawyers? Professional courtesy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I used to not agree with this but when I was in Guatemala we were able to do several very important and necessary services that would have not been allowed due to US laws and regulations, and while I understand many of the laws that we have it seems that we have begun to worship laws and in so doing we have gotten in the way of life. This certainly doesn't make me a Libertarian but it is a healthy eye opener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I used to not agree with this but when I was in Guatemala we were able to do several very important and necessary services that would have not been allowed due to US laws and regulations, and while I understand many of the laws that we have it seems that we have begun to worship laws and in so doing we have gotten in the way of life. This certainly doesn't make me a Libertarian but it is a healthy eye opener. Yep, the layers do keep piling up But it does create jobs:silly: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwhich Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I used to not agree with this but when I was in Guatemala we were able to do several very important and necessary services that would have not been allowed due to US laws and regulations Really? Please share what you did that wouldn't be allowed here.... Keep in mind some people believe countries like Guatemala economy purposely raise money through baby adoption and other things that wouldn't be accepted in the US. My buddy has 2 girls he adopted from Guatemala....but I would love to know what you did there that US laws wont allow. Sorry for the hijack. :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsburySkinsFan Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Really? Please share what you did that wouldn't be allowed here....Keep in mind some people believe countries like Guatemala economy purposely raise money through baby adoption and other things that wouldn't be accepted in the US. My buddy has 2 girls he adopted from Guatemala....but I would love to know what you did there that US laws wont allow. Sorry for the hijack. :mad: Nothing juicy, sorry to disappoint. Vet work and a women's clinic, both in the states would require millions of dollars worth of insurance. Our vet used to hold his large animal credentials but doesn't anymore, here he would not be legally allowed to treat the animals of the farmers even though he has all of the education and experience he needs, but he would have been stopped because of a piece of paper. Our women's clinic was conducted by an RN who works in OB but in the states there would have been so much red tape and insurance required that we simply wouldn't have been able to offer it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kunia5 Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I thought this thread would be about the unnecessary criminalization of marijuana. But I guess everybody is tired of that debate. Smoke 'em if you gottem. Don't let the cops see ya; because they don't really care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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