Thursday
(1)One cannot say, in general, that there should be more or less legislation: that is for governments to decide. If the present volume of legislation is causing problems at the various stages of the legislative process - and all our evidence confirms that this is so - the first requirement is not a reduction in that volume, but improvements in the process at those stages where it is under strain. The kitchen should be big enough and properly equipped to satisfy the legislative appetite.
- Making the Law, Hansard Society, 1993.
So much for separation of powers in the view of serious British parliamentarians.
One cannot say, in general, that there should be more or less legislation: that is for governments to decide.
Why should we not presume that, like any other factor of production, legislation is subject to the Law of Diminishing Returns?
On the flip side, the only consumers who do not experience the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility are addicts. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that politicians who feel a need to maintain a constant or increasing number of laws passed are in fact "legislation addicts."
Posted by KipEsquire at September 22, 2005 12:34 PM
the only consumers who do not experience the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility are addicts
Indeed! They need ever larger hits to get the same rush of legislative stupifaction.
Posted by Perry de Havilland at September 22, 2005 12:54 PM
Let me see if I've got this straight: I am now so immensely fat that I can't fit into the kitchen nor properly digest what I've already eaten, and so the best remedy to my situation is not to control my appetites, but to remodel my kitchen in such a way that it allows me to shove even more food into my face. Is that about the size of it?
Posted by akaky at September 22, 2005 09:33 PM
