WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What law would you change? How would you write it in one page? Can you do it?

One Day Lesson

Well, I have learned one thing: In the rush to solve a problem, it is easy to loose site of the right path. I was so intent on righting the economy with a law that I followed in the footsteps of those in power. I overstepped the bounds of the Constitution and I built a bigger government. Two things I am vehemently opposed to. So the question becomes - "How do we right a wrong without doing more wrong?"

Before I write my next One_Page_Law, I am going to think it through. It is clear that the government needs to do something to stimulate confidence in the economy but what? Here are the questions I will contemplate (putting myself in the shoes of a congressman):

1. What are the limits of my power as defined by the Constitution?
2. How can I maximize my positive impact while minimizing the negative?
3. How do I limit the involvement of the govt and maximize the involvement of the private sector to the fullest extent possible?

Wow, that is a lot to ponder.

$700B Bailout

We the people pledge to purchase any bundled mortgage products offered by any financial institution headquartered in the United States of America under the following conditions:

1. Mortgages will be purchased at a 30% discount off face value as of 12:00:00 a.m. EST September 15th, 2008.
2. Each purchased mortgage must be accompanied by current, verified contact information of signer of mortgage documents.
3. Purchases will be made until we have exhausted funds equal to $500 Billion.

Mortgages will be held for a period by the Federal Government and will be paid for by funds raised by:

1. Lowering corporate tax rate to 22.5% for a period of 36 months from passage of bill.
2. Lowering all capital gains taxes to a rate of 10% for a period of 36 month from passage of this bill.

Money raised by these measures will be calculated as the YTD difference of these taxes collected as of 12:00:00 am EST on the final day of each month as compared with corresponding months of 2007.

Warren Buffet will manage this quasi-government venture for a period of 36 months from date of passage of this bill. His duties and compensation will be as follows:

• Hold assets until such time as he can re-market them at or above purchased face value or for any profit after holding them for a period of 12 months.
• He will be compensated exactly 5% of the profit for the sale of said mortgages after cost of funds of 0% APR.
• Warren Buffet will agree to take no other compensation or financial gain for his service in this operation.

At the end of the 36 month period all Mortgages will be sold in bundles to any investment group, private individual, or bank willing to pay then current fair market value minus 5%.

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All in favor say "I" those apposed "Nay".

The purose of the ONE PAGE LAWS Blog

Today I start an experiment. Those we elect are not superheros, they are not omnitient or omnipotent. They are simply people. Some seek for power or fame. Some seek to make the world a better place. They come from all walks of life - or so I suppose. Why then does every law they draft take on the look and feel of a phonebook meets a law journal meets a class-action ambulance chasing lawers worst nightmare encarnate?

Why can't laws be simple? Why can't they say what they mean and mean what they say?

It is my beleif that you and I - simple everyday people - can and could write more concise, more understandable laws. Hence the name "One Page Laws". Here is my intent: take a crack at writing any law (or in most cases "re-write" any law) in one page or less, the rest of us will vote for or against it or make "appropriate" suggestions to modify said law.

Who knows - maybe we fail, maybe we succeed, maybe we get a law passed! Let's put the "We the people" back into government. What say you?