The Pledge

06/30/05

Has anyone bother to WEIGH the Colorado Revised Statutes lately? Forget reading them, it would take far longer than any citizen has time for. Besides, you wouldn't understand them anyway. In the legal system we have today, layers enjoy exclusive domain over writing, interpreting, and enforcing the laws that govern Colorado. Does this sound like: "Of the lawyers, By the lawyers, For the lawyers"? It does to me.

How hard is it to say do not harm others? How about do not infringe on others rights or property? Here are a few simple ideas that would bring our legal system back into the reach of the citizens.

The Common Law Pledge is as follows:

Over the next ten (10) years, every new law added to the Colorado Revised Statutes will require that two previous/antiquated laws be removed from the Colorado Revised Statutes.
All new laws are to be written in Common English. Common English will be defined as language that can be easily understood and interpreted by a high school graduate.
Probate law will be discontinued.
The requirements for practicing law will be altered to allow for the institution of a legal document assistant system.
Require the legislature to provide alternatives to the courts in civil cases. Provide for mediation. In cases where mediation is not successful, provide for arbitration. In cases where arbitration is not successful, the case can go to court.

This Pledge really is the reason that I felt a compelling need to launch my own website. I want to put an idea into the public forum that I feel deserves your consideration. I cannot claim sole rights to the ideas that I have included in my pledge, many of them have been taken from the Nolo websites' Democracy Corner.

My idea is to present these actions as a comprehensive pledge that Colorado state legislators can take voluntarily. I want to the legislators to work with the citizens of Colorado on a voluntary basis. What will be their incentive to take this pledge? That answer will come from the signatures on a petition that can be taken through the initiative process. That would compel the legislature to meet the demands of the voters. The idea is to ask them nicely to do it, then (if necessary) tell them to do it.

Tell your friends and associates about this idea. Tell them to visit this website. E-mail me with your opinion of the Pledge.