The Repeal a Law Project

[ronpaulhawaii]

Tastywheat started a WIKI that touches on an idea I floated during the docum3ntary roadtrip...

The idea is quite simple; find a silly/stupid law and get it repealed.

Repeat repeatedly...

This will do a few things beyond the obvious...

1. Get local groups working on a concrete project together
2. Give local groups experience working in the system to bring about the change we seek
3. Increase our networking strength
4. Increase our respect from the establishment
5. Increase our visibilty
6. Increase our numbers

What I envision is for each group to identify a silly law in any locality of their state. (If it is law from a distant locality, identify/recruit a couple "locals" to help "on the ground"). Then, lobby to get it repealed, (letter writing campaigns, petitions, protests, press releases, etc.)

I imagine it is best to create a list of the silliest/stupidest laws in your state and start with the silliest. This will have media value and will be easiest to get repealed.

[Edit - If you are on Facebook, please join the "cause", thanks - http://apps.new.facebook.com/causes/170958]

Success breeds confidence, confidence breeds success.

Onward and Forward

 

[acptulsa]

This is freaking brilliant.

Start with the most antiquated and stupid so the media won't consider the thing a threat (what was that municipality that outlawed the consumption of peanuts in churches?), slowly work in some comments like 'is this just a way to ensure they can arrest whomever they want whenever they want?' and then get serious.

Think I'll post this to the local meetup right now, in fact. I love it.

 

[Kotin]

I am on board and I must say it is an awesome idea.

 

[eredeath]

char

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Start Here: http://www.dumblaws.com/

Utah.....

"It is illegal not to drink milk"
"It is considered an offense to hunt whales."

 

[eredeath]

char

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Start Here: http://www.dumblaws.com/

Utah.....

"It is illegal not to drink milk"
"It is considered an offense to hunt whales."

These kind links can be good places to start, but they are generally known to be out of date and sensationalized with outright fabrications. In my preliminary research I have found very few examples with citations linked. IOW - this will take some research. There are many ways to go about this, but make sure you have a verified law to go after before sending out any press releases.

One way is to browse these sites and research the specific claims, another would be to go to local libraries and research. Or, one could make friends with local political types and enlist their help in the research phase...

A quick thought, maybe someone can find a link to the necessary procedures to actually accomplish this (like what forms need to be filled out who we should talk to etc...).

An overview would be good, but I bet much will depend on the locality of the said law. Many of these laws are municipal code in smaller towns which may require varied approaches... The collection of the info gathered would be a very good thing...

Glad you guys like the idea. I'd imagine the WIKI would be as good as any for a prelim data collection area.

 

[phill4paul]

Hats off! Very good way to start.

 

[acptulsa]

A quick thought, maybe someone can find a link to the necessary procedures to actually accomplish this (like what forms need to be filled out who we should talk to etc...).

Lawmakers repeal what they write. No one else.

So, we can either appeal to libertarian lawmakers to get themselves a little good (and in some cases humorous--what could be funnier than calling for the repeal of a ban on whale hunting in a landlocked state?) publicity or we can go straight to the public. The latter would be especially good, as we can fire up their sneaking dread that the system of laws is completely screwed up and teach them that something can indeed be done about it.

Of course, the former can be very good as well. It will help our great lawmakers that are already in place build up their name recognition and goodwill among their constituents.

I think the main thing is that when you find one, be sure to get the jurisdiction, chapter, paragraph, verse and whatever else you can find to help identify it. Most of these are nearly forgotten.

 

[Nate K]

holy hell, at the very least this idea gave me some damn good laughs..

(PA laws..)

You may not sing in the bathtub.

Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass.

You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth.

Dynamite is not to be used to catch fish.

http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/pennsylvania

 

[JVParkour]

This is an excellent idea! Streamlining the system and getting rid of crap is always a good thing! I am on board!

Lol, the last two actually make sense though...people do that sort of thing. And only hooking fish in the mouth is to prevent people from illegally snagging fish.

 

[Elwar]

"Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. "

I do this regardless of if its a law or not. It's just common sense.

 

[sratiug]

I was arrested once for playing pool after midnight. It is illegal to play pool in my town, even if you own a poolroom, and the poolroom is closed and locked between midnight and 7 am and all day Sunday. It was the same for video and pinball machines. I didn't get to fight the case because the judge threw it out. I tried to tell the dumbass cops but they wouldn't listen, ha ha ha.

It is also illegal to posses alchohol in the county, but somehow the beer trucks don't get stopped on the way into the wet town even though they are clearly labeled. Another case of titles of nobility being granted through licensing and an internal tax on free trade driving up prices.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

No pool after midnight!!!



That seems a decent candidate for a repeal effort

 

[penguin]

nice!

Start with the silly and stupid ones to build up momentum and then go for unconstitutional ones!!

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Start with the silly and stupid ones to build up momentum and then go for unconstitutional ones!!

'zactly

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Maybe if those interested in pursuing this posted a thread in their state sub-forum they might find a few more partners...

as well as posting the idea in their own circles

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

bump

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Join the FB "cause" and spread the word

http://apps.new.facebook.com/causes/170958

 

[IPSecure]

How about putting a cap and trade on the laws?

If ignorance of the law, is no excuse... Are we expected to know each and every law on the books?

Just how many laws are there?

Will there ever be a 'limit'? (10 Million, 100 Million) What is the magic number?

Ever notice the people sent to DC, are referenced as 'lawmakers'?

Why do they think that their job is to create even more laws?

Why are not they referenced as law abiders?

When is enough, enough?

With Federal, State, County, and City government growing non-stop, just how big do they think they are going to get? Total takeover?