Outrageous Law Contest
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Washington Policy Institute, Cascade Policy Institute
Humor can be an effective vehicle for making a serious point. In this case, the three groups listed all organized contests that sought laws, rules, regulations and ordinances that were outdated, wasteful, plain dumb... you get the point. In sum, let's make a joke out of a serious point: We have too many laws! This low-cost, quick-hit project proved a media boon for Cascade Policy Institute (CPI) in 1997; then-managed by current State Policy Network Senior Advisor Kurt Weber, CPI garnered 150 print hits and media interviews - including morning time on rock ‘n roll radio stations and a call from the Montel Williams show in New York City.
Guidelines
Turn 'em in by September 15, 1997 Collect up to $625 in Rewards
Collect Your Bounty! Cascade Policy Institute announces the Outrageous Law Contest--the public policy equivalent of a bounty hunt. Cascade deputizes all Oregonians to locate and submit their ideas for laws, local ordinances, or administrative rules and regulations that ought to be repealed.
The Out Laws Numerous examples are on the books even though they are hopelessly outdated, flagrant wastes of money, unenforceable, or simply humorous. In Oregon it's illegal to require a dead person to serve on a jury. Klamath Falls prohibits kicking snakes in the head. A license is required to juggle in Hood River. Other more serious examples represent unwarranted government intrusion in one's personal and business affairs. In the spirit of former Oregon Governor Geer (1899-1903), Cascade Policy Institute is sponsoring the Outrageous Law Contest.
"It has long been a generally accepted maxim that the world is governed too much, and surely it may be truthfully said that more people give expression to a complaint that there are too many laws than to the contrary." Theodore Thurston Geer, Oregon Governor, 1899-1903
The Reward Up to ten prizes totaling $625 will be awarded. Five winners will receive $100 each, and five runners-up, $25 each. Additionally, all prize winners will receive a book by political satirist and Honorary Contest Judge P.J. O'Rourke. O'Rourke is the author of several books, including Republican Party Reptile and A Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the Entire Federal Government. Cascade staff members will review the entries.
The Wanted Undoubtedly, humorous rules, regulations, and laws are sought. But so are entries that demonstrate an infringement on freedom of expression, association, religion or other personal freedoms. Additionally, entries that exemplify a waste of taxpayer dollars for dubious government expenditures are encouraged. Also eligible are laws that make it difficult to earn a living, create employment opportunities, or operate a business. Also wanted are examples of unenforceable or routinely ignored legalities.
"The worth of a legislature is not to be judged entirely by what it does; it should also be gauged by what it does not do. A great output of laws does not mean a great session." The Oregonian, February 27, 1925
"The more laws there are the more criminals there are." Tao Te Ching
How to Turn 'Em In Entries are to be postmarked or e-mailed on or before September 15. If duplicate entries are received for a given law or ordinance, only the first entry will qualify. Each submission must be limited to one type-written page, 500 words, and include a) the public body that enacted the law, ordinance, or administrative rule, b) a brief description of the law and its legal citation, if known, and c) a brief summary of the law's effects, including an estimate of money wasted, number of people affected, and so forth, where appropriate. Winners will be announced by October 1.
Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations must be from Oregon or its municipalities. Though there are plenty to repeal, federal laws and the like do not qualify.
Public employees, elected officials, and other government employees are encouraged to enter. Cascade Policy Institute employees, board members, advisors or their immediate relatives are not eligible to participate.
Entry Deadline: September 15, 1997
Send entries to: Outrageous Law Contest Cascade Policy Institute 813 SW Alder, Suite 707 Portland, Oregon 97205 -- or -- Outrageous@CascadePolicy.org
QUESTIONS? Contact Cascade Policy Institute at (503) 242-0900, or Outrageous@CascadePolicy.org.
Oregon state laws can be researched on-line at http://www.leg.state.or.us. No central on-line site exists for counties or cities. Contact local individual government bodies to see if they have an individual site |
Sample Press Release
For further information contact: Kurt T. Weber or Patrick Stephens (503) 242-0900 July 14, 1997
Embargoed until 12:01 am Thursday, July 17
Wanted: Outrageous Laws!
Contest seeks laws and ordinances that ought to be repealed; political satirist P.J. O'Rourke serves as honorary judge Wanted dead or alive: Outrageous laws! The 1997 Outrageous Law Contest, organized by Cascade Policy Institute, seeks examples of Oregon laws, local ordinances, or administrative rules and regulations that ought to be repealed. A total of $625 will be awarded for the best entries. In Oregon it is illegal to make a dead person serve on a jury. Hood River requires that jugglers obtain a license. Want to fly your own personally designed flag? You might check with local officials first. Not long ago Associated Oregon Industries in Salem thought about designing and flying its own flag--until it learned that doing so required a permit and fees. "The Outrageous Law Contest is undertaken with good humor, but it aims to make a serious point," says Cascade program director Kurt T. Weber. "Government reaches into every nook and cranny of our lives. The real challenge would be to find one aspect of our private or business lives that isn't touched by government." The Contest seeks humorous entries. Also sought are rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws that demonstrate an infringement on freedom of expression, association, religion, or other personal freedoms. Additionally encouraged are entries that exemplify a waste of taxpayer dollars for dubious government expenditures. Also eligible are laws that make it difficult to earn a living, create employment opportunities, or operate a business. The Contest asks, too, for examples of unenforceable or routinely ignored legalities.
|