Discussion [DRAFT] Government Transparency Act

[Deadeye Jack]

It is a crime in Lazarus to knowingly or recklessly violate her laws. To add laws mandating trivial things like documentation therefore adds a whole collection of opportunities for complex and divisive trials. Our laws ought to be taken very seriously and law ought to be written only in cases where that seriousness is required.

If failing to or refusing to post a report in time would constitute a criminal act because of Lazarus' criminal code, then that would be bad. As I see it that's not the intention of this proposed act as written. So yeah I would not be in favor of this act if that's how things will be treated by Lazarus' justice system. And that would make me extra against the proposed Sunshine Act version since that too would come with criminal repercussions.

I do think, barring legislation though, that this is an unwritten standard worth striving for. I'm just not confident that many will strive to uphold it without the pressure an actual "requirement" would have.

 

[Frankender]

Would opponents of such legislation support a clause to ensure breaching this law is not punishable by the criminal code?

 

[McChimp]

Would opponents of such legislation support a clause to ensure breaching this law is not punishable by the criminal code?

Why write a law only to specify that it's not to be enforced by the courts?

The Speaker can emplace policies that last after they resign-that would probably be the most appropriate way to implement what you've suggested. Perhaps the best way to proceed with this idea is to ask Aga to put in place such a policy stating that the Speaker will petition the PM to write these reports and announce if one is not received within whatever timescale.

 

[Frankender]

Why write a law only to specify that it's not to be enforced by the courts?

The Speaker can emplace policies that last after they resign-that would probably be the most appropriate way to implement what you've suggested. Perhaps the best way to proceed with this idea is to ask Aga to put in place such a policy stating that the Speaker will petition the PM to write these reports and announce if one is not received within whatever timescale.

Writing laws that encourage but not compels parties to do something is not unheard of.

However, I am on board with your idea as well. @Aga , thoughts?

 

[Deadeye Jack]

Why write a law only to specify that it's not to be enforced by the courts?

The Speaker can emplace policies that last after they resign-that would probably be the most appropriate way to implement what you've suggested. Perhaps the best way to proceed with this idea is to ask Aga to put in place such a policy stating that the Speaker will petition the PM to write these reports and announce if one is not received within whatever timescale.

Not all laws are written with the intention of criminal enforcement in the real world. But it may be worth looking into the alternative you have proposed.

 

[Domais]

Maybe the Misconduct is too vague. What if we amended that to say that only "major" violations are chargeable and the rest should be left up to a recall?

 

[Clorinda]

Maybe the Misconduct is too vague. What if we amended that to say that only "major" violations are chargeable and the rest should be left up to a recall?

What would constitute a “major” violation though? Honestly I’d support a rewrite of the entire criminal code but that’d be too controversial and I don’t see that happening. So, perhaps.

 

[Deleted1]

Why would it work in TRR and not here?

Unless even more TRR citizens plan to join shortly, people are different everywhere.

 

[Frankender]

Unless even more TRR citizens plan to join shortly, people are different everywhere.

“People are different” isn’t an argument against this proposal. My question still stands

 

[Clorinda]

Unless even more TRR citizens plan to join shortly, people are different everywhere.

This doesn’t make sense. Please elaborate on how this would affect the staunchly legal aspect of the region.

 

[Deleted1]

“People are different” isn’t an argument against this proposal. My question still stands

I answered your question. People are different here than there. Refusing that answer is more of a demand on the people than realizing who those people are.

 

[Frankender]

I answered your question. People are different here than there. Refusing that answer is more of a demand on the people than realizing who those people are.

Sorry, I’m kind of confused here. I don’t understand what makes this policy viable in TRR but not here

 

[Aga]

Whoops, I only saw the notification here now, sorry!

I'm happy to put into place whatever policies that might be required if people have requested them and there is sufficient demand for it, so if this law is passed, I'd be more than happy to implement the idea that McChimp has suggested.

As a general sidenote: if anyone has any ideas for any policy, feel free to drop it in the Speaker's Office and I'll look into it.

 

[McChimp]

Whoops, I only saw the notification here now, sorry!

I'm happy to put into place whatever policies that might be required if people have requested them and there is sufficient demand for it, so if this law is passed, I'd be more than happy to implement the idea that McChimp has suggested.

As a general sidenote: if anyone has any ideas for any policy, feel free to drop it in the Speaker's Office and I'll look into it.

I really meant that you could implement it as a policy instead of this law passing, laws being for things we intend to enforce instead of aspirational documents. Perhaps it could be reformatted as a resolution showing public support for you implementing it as a policy. I don't think we should water down the enforcement of the laws we pass here-law is for saying what is, and what must be done for fear of consequences, not what we should do or want to suggest. Misconduct is the criminal charge that gives every law we have written any weight, it gives them meaning, the sole explicit consequence of disregarding our legal system. It shouldn't be blunted or made open to interpretation.

TRR is mechanically different from Lazarus, its citizens come from elsewhere than ours and they have different attitudes as a result of that. Activity may be easier to make there than it is here, as such our laws can rely less on people.

 

[Clorinda]

I’m satisfied with your response, McChimp.