The following are filters I use when reviewing/developing proposed legislation:
The following questions must have "no" answers
- Will it increase Government’s role in our lives and restrict individual liberty?
- Will it decrease the recognition of the sanctity of life?
- Will it be inconsistent with the clear meaning of the Bill of Rights?
- Will it hinder the concept of Limited Government?
- Will it erode the Rule of Law?
- Will it undermine free markets, competition and/or commerce?
- Will it erode personal responsibility and voluntary involvement by the average citizen?
- Will it erode the personal empowerment of the individual citizen
- Will it harm traditional families? Will it erode the traditional role of parents?
- Will it increase fees or other costs to the individual citizen?
- Will it place a damper on the spirit of “free enterprise”?
- Will it erode the quality of K-12 education (Public, Charter, or Homeschool)
- Will it negatively impact the spirit of private, non-coerced volunteerism
- Will it negatively affect the faith community
- Will it usurp its historic role of the Church as concerns the less fortunate?
- Is this bill unnecessary at this time?
- Does the bill fall outside the purview of the State Constitution?
All issues have their basis in morality.
One cannot separate morality from most issues. For example, when confronted with the issue of whether or not there should be legislation to cause State tax-dollars to fund a needle-exchange program, Rep. Tool, a Fort Collins Republican once stated that, “this is a health-care issue, not a morality issue”. On the contrary, I would consider this issue as dealing with BOTH, but would ask: Is it wise for the state to take action to eliminate the consequences of poor choices? It that the true role of government? I would say NO to both.
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