The Perpetual Ten Year Promise

Have you ever noticed that much of the legislation requires a ten year time frame to be fully enacted? Not that there is anything wrong with a long term plan. We often hear how too many think short term and not long term; and that is not good planning. Certainly, some legislation requires enough time for the public sector and corporate world to make changes. These changes can take time, they cannot be implemented overnight.

It does appear, however, that this long term horizon is motivated by politics not practicality.

Ten Years Allows:

1. The potential benefit being enacted immediately while the funding is back ended.

2. Can give special interest groups a longer time to comply than the general public.

3. The opportunity to make adjustments prior to elections. “The primary requisite for any new tax law is for it to exempt enough voters to win the next election”

4. Ten years is a “lifetime” in the political process. Multiple Presidential Elections, numerous Senate and House Elections and several budgets to be enacted. All of which can threaten the current law’s intent.

5. All of these, and more, give politicians the confidence to pass “long term” legislation.

6. Although, not researched, it is highly unlikely that any legislation passed with a ten year time frame; stayed within its budget, accomplished its goal or wasn’t changed due to political pressure.

We deserve better. We deserve legislation that has a real opportunity to come to fruition on budget. We have a right to know why any organization will play by different rules under the legislation. We have a right to know the factual positives and negatives; not spun by a politician; but in plain English. Elizabeth Warren of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants documents to written in “plain English”, so the public can understand them. Shouldn’t we expect the same kind of reverence from Congress?

It’s no wonder the public has lost some respect for politicians. They don’t seem to treat us as intelligent adults. They tend to treat us as subjects lucky to have them making all the decisions.

To read more of my thoughts, read my new book: "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American"
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