Too Much
We live in exciting times. For the past few years, I’ve had an unsettling feeling about many things going on in our country on a national level. Don’t get me wrong, we live in an amazing country - so much beauty, wealth, a wonderful blend of so many cultures, but still rich in disparities and so much greed. In Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and co-author Janie Nitze present a compelling and fascinating critique of our increasingly complex legal system in our country. They argue that the proliferation of laws and regulations has transformed the legal landscape into a maze, a never-ending bureaucratic nightmare that ensnares ordinary citizens, undermining the nation's foundational principle of a self-governed people.(California Lawyers Association)
The authors illustrate their concerns through surreal, yet true stories, such as a Florida fisherman prosecuted for allegedly discarding fish and a hair braiding entrepreneur entangled in absurd and costly occupational licensing regulatory restrictions. Occupational licensing hinders individuals attempting to work in their chosen field, often with little benefit to the public and thank goodness for movements across our land pushing for reform. These are just two of the many fascinating, yet horrific stories costing tax payers millions of dollars, that highlight how excessive legal complexity can criminalize everyday activities, leaving individuals vulnerable to bureaucratic overreach and arbitrary enforcement, not to mention plunging them and their families into despair and near ruin over years in challenging the powers that be.
Gorsuch and Nitze contend that the expansion of administrative agencies and the delegation of legislative powers to unelected officials have eroded democratic accountability. They caution that when laws become too numerous and opaque, they not only burden citizens but also diminish respect for the legal system itself. I wonder if “we the people” have allowed this overreach by becoming too busy, misaligning priorities and trusting that the government has our best interests in mind. Look at where this trust has gotten us.
The book advocates for a return to a more restrained and transparent legal framework, emphasizing the need for laws that are clear, accessible, and enacted by accountable representatives. Our constitution which clearly outlines a check and balance system supports an ideology promoting self-governance, not reliance. And certainly not abdication nor apathy. By doing so, the authors believe the nation can uphold the ideals of liberty and justice, ensuring that the legal system serves the people rather than entraps and penalizes them.
Over Ruled is a call to action for simplifying the legal code and reinforcing the principles that allow a self-governed people to thrive. It underscores the importance of legal clarity and democratic oversight in preserving individual freedoms and maintaining public trust in the rule of law.
If we aren’t happy with the status quo, “we the people” can get involved at the local level and share our thoughts, concerns and opinions. I recently asked a local newspaper to publish an impending appeal for Public Comment on a regional five - year plan for economic development. The editor told me that he believed that those governing entities don’t use or consider public comments - that they do whatever they want and that he wouldn’t publish the announcement. On one hand I was surprised by his response, however, this attitude is not uncommon and in some ways has gotten us to where we are today. Come on people, we can do better.
https://www.texaspolicy.com/licensing-should-not-be-bigger-in-texas-a-roadmap-for-licensing-reform/
