House of Repeal

David Christian

2 minutes read

Prof Reynolds used to mention the of a House of Repeal periodically. He hasn’t done that lately. My favorite Robert Heinlein book was the first time I ever heard of the idea.

Comrade Members, like fire and fusion, government is a dangerous servant and a terrible master. You now have freedom - if you can keep it. But do remember that you can lose this freedom more quickly to yourselves than to any other tyrant. Move slowly, be hesitant, puzzle out the consequences of every word.

I suggest one house of legislators, another whose single duty is to repeal laws. Let the legislators pass laws only with a two-thirds majority … while the repealers are able to cancel any law through a mere one-third minority. Preposterous? Think about it. If a bill is so poor that it cannot command two-thirds of your consents, is it not likely that it would make a poor law? And if a law is disliked by as many as one-third is it not likely that you would be better off without it?

Robert A. Heinlein
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Why bring this up? Rand Paul reminds us.