The husband and I just returned from a walk wherein he laid down a simple precept that he believes ought to become the law of the land.
Ahem.
NO LAWYERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN ANY LEGISLATIVE BODY.
The quick and dirty explanation:
1. The husband believes there are too many laws on the books. He believes that if legislators (read Congresspeople) keep trying to solve every problem by passing a law, the United States Code will soon collapse under its own weight.
2. Hence, lawyers, who have an interest in making sure there are laws to enforce or work around---depending upon which side you take---are not the people who should be passing and enacting laws. It's, ultimately, a conflict of interest, the way the husband sees it.
3. Therefore no lawyers, practicing or otherwise, should be allowed to run for Congress---or any other legislative body. The husband does not believe this to be discriminatory because there are age and citizenship limits already in place for these very same offices. QED
Discuss.
Posted by Kathy at March 18, 2006 03:44 PM | TrackBackMark Kennedy isn't going quite that far, but he is saying the Senate needs another lawyer like it needs a hole in the head.
I just heard Prince singing in my mind's ear "U need another lawyer, like u need a hole in the head!" I think I need 2 wash my mind's ear now.
Posted by: Douglas at March 19, 2006 04:14 PM. . . but what do YOU think, O Goddess Of Snark?
(ducking and running)
Posted by: sadie at March 20, 2006 12:14 AMWell, I know what I think, but I care about what YOU think.
;P
Posted by: Kathy at March 20, 2006 12:25 AMSadie, if she agreed with me, do you think she'd invite the rest of the world to smack me down?
Posted by: MRN aka "The Husband" at March 20, 2006 07:47 AMOk, I'll pick up the gauntlet here and disagree. The problem isn't lawyers. There is nothing wrong with legal training. The problem is the insufficient faith in the free market economy of ideas and capital and choice. If our legislators had more faith in the people and their ability to make rational choices, we'd have fewer laws.
Posted by: RP at March 23, 2006 03:24 PMAnd one other thought. Lawyers don't make bad laws. People who are poorly behaved and are just jerks inspire the urge to legislate. It isn't the lawyer; its the parents who brought their children up so badly.
Posted by: RP at March 23, 2006 04:01 PMI started to respond, but it became so long-winded that I put it up over here instead. http://4paladins.blogspot.com/2006/03/of-laws-and-lawyers.html