Monday, November 2, 2009

Effectiveness Sunset Provisions

A question on Scozzafava at Instapundit:
A question: “Now that she’s withdrawn and endorsed the Democratic candidate, can the Republican Party ask for their $900,000 back? Can individuals who contributed to her under the impression that she was a Republican ask for their money back?” They can ask, but unlike with businesses there’s no implied warranty of good faith in politics . . . .
And that is the problem. The people are rightly tired of being lied to by both parties. There isn't much to be done about the sweet nothings of pre-election politics, but elected officials—especially, our Congresscritters—could take steps to restore the nation's faith. Step one is to codify their promises in legislation. If they want to say that "the healthcare bill will not add one dime to the debt", then amend the bill such that it will sunset when it adds a dime to the debt. Put up or shut up. That is where we are with the lying weasels that fail to represent us in DC.

This goes for all legislation, not just healthcare. As a bill is being written identify the measures of effectiveness (the promises made about the pending legislation) and sunset the law if it fails to meet those criteria.

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