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From: renner@uiucdcs.UUCP (renner )
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: A New Constitutional Amendment (a SE - (nf)
Message-ID: <5531@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 11-Feb-84 22:29:02 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.5531
Posted: Sat Feb 11 22:29:02 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 15-Feb-84 04:43:12 EST
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#R:ihuxj:-39000:uiucdcs:29200089:000:730
uiucdcs!renner    Feb 10 16:41:00 1984

John Hobson correctly points out that the lawyers are using a professional
language, just as engineers do.  The difference is that we are all required
(by law) on threat of punishment to comply with documents written in this
language.  I cannot see how our country can reasonably punish a citizen
when the citizen cannot understand the description of the proscribed
behavior.

The U.S. Tax Code is the best known example of an incomprehensible law.  I
submit that there exists no person who can understand it.  The IRS will
interpret the code for you if you have questions, but they reserve the right
to nail you for back taxes, interest, and penalties if they later change
their mind.

Scott Renner
{ihnp4,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!renner