[mountaineer]

We not only have the most laws in all of history, but we also turn out more new laws and regulations

I agree there are far too many laws, but would suggest that a lot of that verbiage exists for the sake of clarity, that is, to comply with the constitutional requirements that laws not be vague, not violate due process, etc. In most other countries, I doubt that's a big concern.

[SkyRat]

I know nobody wants to hear it, but I guess I'm gonna tell you anyway.

If you watched some european household talk about American freedom & laws some 10 years or so ago, the people would have thought "we want that too".

But not anymore.
Today, most Europeans would not want to switch. Patriot Act? Sneak & Peek Searches? TIPS Program? Military used as Law Enforcment? War on Drugs?

Land of the free? We will see, won't we?

[shaggy eel]

I agree there are far too many laws, but would suggest that a lot of that verbiage exists for the sake of clarity, that is, to comply with the constitutional requirements that laws not be vague, not violate due process, etc. In most other countries, I doubt that's a big concern.

,,, developed, western nations all have the same problem. At the outset where I am, real power lies with select committees and working parties that report back to Parliament. The trend, of course, allows for a window of public consultation - which just happens to be the least protracted stage. The one question I'm certain they never ask is "is this rule/law necessary?" It's becoming more and more apparent lately that a crisis is designed for the introduction of a high-tech process or product that some vendor or other has the answer for.

Deliberate vagueness of legislation can only encourage re-drafts/amendments and constant fine tuning. It's little wonder lawyers are being churned out of schools to perpetuaute this fabulous career opportunity.