Posted on 02/09/2006 12:15:29 PM PST by oldtimer2
I note one proposal to make this Congress a two-house body. Excellent -- the more impediments to legislation the better. But, instead of following tradition, I suggest one house of legislators, another whose single duty is to repeal laws. Let the legislators pass laws only with a two-thirds majority... while the repealers are able to cancel any law through a mere one-third minority. Preposterous? Think about it. If a bill is so poor that it cannot command two-thirds of your consents, is it not likely that it would make a poor law? And if a law is disliked by as many as one-third is it not likely that you would be better off without it?”
As for how to pay for things without taxation: “I can think of several ways. Voluntary contributions just as churches support themselves... government-sponsored lotteries to which no one need subscribe... or perhaps your Congressmen should dig down into their own pouches and pay for whatever is needed; that would be one way to keep government down in size to its indispensable functions whatever they may be. If indeed there are any. I would be satisfied to have The Golden Rule be the only law; I see no need for any other, nor for any method of enforcing it. But if you really believe that your neighbors must have laws for their own good, why shouldn’t you pay for it? I beg you -- do not resort to compulsory taxation. There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him
You have put your finger on the dilemma of all government -- and the reason I am an anarchist. The power to tax, once conceded, has no limits; it contains until it destroys. I was not joking when I told them to dig into their own pouches. It may not be possible to do away with government -- sometimes I think that government is an inescapable disease of human beings. But it may be possible to keep it small and starved and inoffensive -- and can you think of a better way than by requiring the governors themselves to pay the costs of their antisocial hobby?
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I ran across an old paperback this week and re-read it. THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert Heinlein. I had not read this since about 1970. The above quotes are from a discussion about a constitution for a new country. Maybe we should adopt some of these laws. I especially like requiring 1/2 of the time repealing laws. Perhaps require that the first year of each Congress be devoted to repealing laws, and second year to passing laws that do not cost more than amount saved by the cost of laws repealed. oldtimer2
That book was the start of my political education. It is still a good read and makes you think.
By the way, I just noticed your tagline. Love it.
I dig RAH, but I don't think I have read this one. It's on my list now, though! Check my profile for a quote from one of my fav's.
This is probably my favorite RAH quote:
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
Cool. Heinlein's short story "Coventry" is worth re-reading once in a while also. Interesting solution to the problems of crime, punishment, prison-overcrowding, costs of criminal justice, etc.
http://www.mandalavillage.org/reading/opr_soc_heinlein_coventry.htm
You'll enjoy it. IMHO it is the best of all his stories.
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