Those of us who sell real estate - of even those who have ever purchased real estate - know that a sales contract of some form (that is often called by various names) is used to spell out the terms and conditions and become a binding, legally enforceable document between the parties.
The recent "Cap and Trade" voting fiasco in the House - the bill is disastrous and needs to be defeated, but I'm only talking about the voting process here - brought to light just how broken the system is.
Take our sales contracts. What happens on every single page? They are initialed by the buyers (and sometimes all parties), signifying that they have been read or that the language has been explained and understood. What happens to line-throughs and changes? They also are initialed and often dated.
So here's the plan. For each piece of legislation proposed, every Member of Congress who intends to vote on the bill or engage in any form of debate on the bill must initial every single page of the bill to attest - under oath - that they have read every word on that page and understand what it means.
What this means is that the bill must be published far enough in advance of debate for every Member to have a copy and read it. It means that not reading it is gone as an excuse or objection. It means that there can be no 11th hour additions of amendments to the bill. Any amendments become part of the same reading and initialing provisions.
This should restore a little responsibilty to the Congress and put the brakes on these rush-to-pass bills. We also can see what they're voting on.
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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.
© Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Steve, As long as the lawmakers don't read the bills they vote for, we will get bills endorsed only by the Speaker of the House and her special interest groups...
Steve - Here is my reform measure. Each bill can only have a single subject matter. No 1200 page bills with 100 programs crammed in. Bill #1 - cap and trade. Bill #2 - energy inspection. Bill #3 - renewable fuel program. Bill #4 - nationalized building codes. With the shorter bills, at least they might know what they are voting on.
Steve - that is one of the most sensible suggestions that I have read. But, because it makes sense, it certainly is doomed. Besides that, no one in congress would want to add that to their paper trail.
Paul,
Precisiely. We never elect the Speaker - whoever it is. This levels the field and gets us back involved. :)
Steve
Ryan,
I totally agree. The current bill likely has over 1000 provisions. I want 1-2 page bills. If it can't be explained in that length, it is proably a bad bill that needs reworked. :)
Steve
Mike,
It's time we hold Congress accountable. Who cares what they want? They work for us. :)
Steve
I like your idea, combined with Ryan's. A single item for a single issue, AND/or wording that if they vote on ANY measure, they are also attesting they have read and UNDERSTOOD it. Initials work.
Just imagine the jobs that could be created if they had to have a person who can explain each issue like a closing officer to make sure they knew what they were signing.
Brilliant idea!!
Alice,
Hadn't even thought of that aspect. Nice touch. :)
Steve
Carla,
Thank you, but I don't think they want anything that would pin them down like this and not give them any wiggle room. :)
Steve
Steve - Read the summary. It is 3 pages long and will give you a headache.
Ryan,
No thanks, I really don't have time for a headache right now. :)
Steve
Steve,
The best part of that plan is that it pretty much ensures that nothing will ever get through congress and I believe our govt works best when they aren't allowed to accomplish anything.
Hugh,
That wasn't the intent, but it certainly works for me. :)
Steve
It makes a lot of sense to me, Steve. And I also agree with Ryan's addendum. But look, we can't even get through a blog thread without tacking things on. Either way, both great ideas and would make for less but better legislation.
Patrick,
Threads are meant to be tacked onto. That's a far cry from legislation. Thanks for your ideas. :)
Steve
Steve, the only people who read legislation are the kids right out of law school who write it!
Oh, and the lobbyists who help them!
Pat,
I know, and the people who are paid to write it are not elected. Congressmen have computers. Let them write their own bills. :)
Steve