4 Ways to Fix a Broken Legal System 
(Monkey, 36 
Points) on 3/31/11 at 1:34pm
As an undergraduate and prospective law student, my friends in law school are forever sending me videos or news stories in an attempt to discourage me from following in their footsteps. While I generally disregard these, the video below actually piqued my interest quite a bit, and I was wondering what those of you in the legal community might think of it.
Phillip Howard argues here that rather than protecting our freedoms, the U.S. legal system has actually begun to restrict our liberties and paralyze society. Life as a working professional has increasingly become what he describes as "a legal minefield". In this talk from the TED 2010 conference, Howard suggests 4 ways of helping to fix what he deems "a broken legal system."
Does our increasingly complex legal system safeguard our freedoms, improve accountability and therefore performance among professionals such as doctors, and just generally make America a better place? To what extent should we heed Howard's call to simplify our legal system? To what extent can we?
Please define "freedom."
by KobePlease define "freedom."
I definitely agree that laws
by PoncherelloI definitely agree that laws change behavior and make work environments sterile. At the very least, it makes mundane company small talk even more mundane and miserable.
This is really more about law
by MAQ89This is really more about law makers and than lawyers. Lawmakers sometimes overreact to outlier situations and create laws without considering the chilling effect on people and companies (thinking about the broader society, as he says) -- of course, this is not an easy remedy to implement as not all lawmakers are bright -- emotion, not logic wins elections.
It's also about judges as
by GNR121It's also about judges as they create common law -- although many judges will create distinctions when applying the law leads to a silly outcome -- it only takes one judge holding to the contrary to have a chilling effect.
Can someone please tell me
by LLCoolJaneCan someone please tell me what the 4 solutions are so I don't have to watch a long video to join the conversation?
I'm with LLCJ on this one
by D MI'm with LLCJ on this one haha. I identify as Republican, but borderline libertarian, so less = more
You want to know how to fix a
by UFOinsiderYou want to know how to fix a broken legal system? Cultivate better citizens. It doesn't matter WHAT the law is: if someones a scumbag they will work hard enough to find away around the letter of it, and if they are an upstanding person, they will abide by the spirit of it.
Cliche but: Fucking Duh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaYR5lwzomE
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At what point does
by D MAt what point does cultivating better citizens become brainwashing them?
D M wrote: At what point does
by UFOinsiderAt what point does cultivating better citizens become brainwashing them?
"Hello Johnny, stealing from others is not just a felony, it's also WRONG" ....oh yeah, lots of parents don't do this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaYR5lwzomE
Disclaimer: By using this web site, you are indicating your acceptance to be hit in the face repeatedly with Monkey Shit for no reason or any reason whatsoever.
Part of his argument is "we
by Anonymous MonkeyPart of his argument is "we need judges that can interpret the law". As far as I knew we already have that. It's a common complaint I've heard from some political groups. I would much rather see a single simple change: In all cases the litigant who successfully defends himself from a suit can force the other litigant to pay for the legal fees. If you're sued with a frivolous suit and you win they pay for the legal fees for both sides. I think it would greatly reduce the count of lawsuits filed.
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