Burlington High School
Burlington, Kansas
Teacher: Mrs. Devra Parker
A Letter That Caused a Revolution
By Hilary Dees
12th Grade
It seems in today’s world that everyone is a busybody. Every person has numerous responsibilities and appointments to keep each and every day. The average citizen does not have time to worry about how his or her hard earned tax dollars are being spent by elected officials. That is why the Congress of the United States has created Sunset Legislation.
It seems as though one of our Founding Father’s had the right idea. The whole point of Thomas Jefferson’s letter of recommendation is that it’s imperative that we prevent current generations from going so far into debt that they or their children may not pay it off in their lifetime. This powerful and conclusive ideal has spawned what is now known as Sunset Legislation.
One of the many benefits of such legislation is that it streamlines agencies that are too broad, purges the government of duplicate offices, and eliminates obsolete programs. Another pro of Sunset Legislation is that it is truly the people who decide whether or not the government offices in question are performing their purpose. Of the 12 person committee, eight people are Congressman who are elected by the people for the people. The remaining four are ordinary citizens like you and me. This is an almost foolproof plan to get the best representation of the nation’s opinions.
Since humans have had the capability of governing themselves, they have created various government programs. As history dictates, these various government offices, once created, usually stay in power and continue to gain clout until they are indestructible. Ronald Reagan said it best when he said, “The nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on the Earth is a government program.” Along with eliminating those programs that no longer serve a function, Sunsetting is a prime example of a scare tactic. When a federal office’s purpose comes into question, the accountability of the organization and how well the specific agency is performing in response to the consumers’ needs is highlighted and put into the public eye.
One of the most glaring problems of enacting such legislation is that it can go overboard. For example, in 1983, West Virginia’s state legislature used Sunset Legislation to eradicate all forms of state government. However, the governor vetoed this bill. Another con of such legalities is that it is somewhat hard to prove that a government agency is not thoroughly using every tax dollar given to it. Corruption, deception, and bribery could effectively alter the judgment of any panel set to evaluate an agency. Yet, this has occurred throughout history and has been dealt with very effectively through additional laws and regulations.
After thoroughly researching Sunset Legislation and its effects, I have found that I agree with the general ambition of such regulations. I think that holding government agencies accountable is a great checks and balance between the government and the people. Without such verification procedures, federal bodies would be able to run rampant with taxpayer’s dollars without consideration to the general welfare of those that provide the financial foundation for them. I am also a fan of the fact that the act of Sunsetting leaves the options open as far as the outcome of the committee’s findings. Just because a certain department comes under scrutiny does not necessarily mean it will be forever closed. It simply means that it will be remodeled so that it better fits the needs of the American people. I think this is more than fair considering that everyday we, the people, are thrust into the spotlight of accountability. If we do not work, then we cannot pay taxes. If we do not pay taxes, then we are of no value to the American economy and therefore become dead weight in the eyes of the nation. Also, as a scare tactic, enacting such legislation ups the customer service and effectiveness of those bureaus in question. As to Jefferson’s letter, I think that he hit the nail on the head. We should not be able to spend so much money that we are not able to pay it off in our lifetime. However, since the advent of credit cards and other ways of purchasing goods without the ability to pay, our national debt has soared to over some 3.5 trillion dollars. This creates an even greater need for utilizing Sunset Legislation. We have precious little money with which to fund our government activities and, if just one dollar goes to waste, then we have failed in the modern-day world of efficiency.
Thus, the legislative procedures initiated by Thomas Jefferson’s letter about contracts between the government and the people should have a firm place in today’s and all future governments. Without such rules of accountability, the government would have no regulations as to how to expend our hard-earned tax money. Our government would eventually fall as all of our assets were squandered to obsolete and ineffective government offices formed in the establishment of our nation and sporadically thereafter. I give my approval to future Sunset Legislation, and I hope that the nation sees the importance of such acts.
Answers To Questions Prompted By The Required Reading
Q1- What was the average life span in Jefferson’s age according to his letter?
A1- In Jefferson’s letter, he states that for purposes of clarity, the average life span is 34 years.
Q2- Do some research and find out the size of the national debt you are about to inherit as taxpayers. Don’t forget the benefits promised in your name to the older generations under the guise of Social Security and Medicare.
A2- As of 2:40 p.m. on October 19, 2006, the national debt was
$8,547,624,226,434.89. Also, as we pay taxes this money is given to the current retiree’s in forms such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Q3-What do you think of Jefferson’s assertion that “…no generation can contract debts greater than may be paid during the course of its own existence.”
A3- I believe that Jefferson’s whole point was that someone should not be able to acquire more debt than the next generation will be able to pay off. This would be a security measure that would prevent generations from spending money they have not yet earned.
Is
it
feasible
to
undue
the
social
contracts
in
your
children
or
grandchildren’s
life
times?
Would
you
want
to
even
if
you
could?
Why
or
why
not.
I would not want to undo contracts between the government and my children or their children’s generation simply because I want what is best for them and therefore am leery about making such monumental change.
Q4- Do you agree, as Jefferson maintained, that “[debt] between society and society, or generation and generation, there is no municipal obligation, no umpire but the law of nature. We seem not to have perceived that, by the law of nature, one generation is to another as one independent nation to another.”
A4- I do agree with Jefferson. It would be irrational to assume greater debts in you’re lifetime than would be possible to pay off. You do not want to run future generations into debt before they arrive.
Q5-
In
view
of
Jefferson’s
words
that
follow,
why
do
you
think
a
sunset
provision
on
generational
debt
wasn’t
included
in
the
U.S.
Constitution?
“But with respect to future debts, would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare, in the constitution they are forming, that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself, can validly contract more debt than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19. years? And that all future contracts will be deemed void as to what shall remain unpaid at the end of 19. years from their date? This would put the lenders, and the borrowers also, on their guard.”
A5- The Constitution was a finely balanced compromise. There are a few key flaws in the document that have been fixed. I believe if a clause were added about debts, the Constitutional Convention would have fallen apart.
Q6- What do you say to Jefferson’s assertion that “a law of limited duration is much more manageable than one which needs a repeal.” ?
A6- Each generation changes and therefore will need new and modified rules by which to govern themselves. The laws that were made in the 1700’s do not effectively govern the current generations.
Q7- “We have already given in example one effectual check to the Dog of war by transferring the power of letting him loose from the Executive to the Legislative body, from those who are to spend to those who are to pay.”
A7- This statement simple says that one person should not be put into a position such that they are capable of creating war and then dictating what funds go where in response to wars.
Q8- In light of the excerpt from his letter above, what do you think Thomas Jefferson would make of our nation’s recent history of fighting undeclared wars?
A8- I believe that Thomas Jefferson would not approve of the recent surge in undeclared wars.
Q9- Name ten of the twenty-six states that have enacted sunset legislation.
A9- Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, and Texas are ten of the twenty-six states that have enacted sunset legislation.
Q10- What state abolished all state government? What do you think the voters got for their trouble?
A10- West Virginia’s state legislature abolished all state-oriented legislatures and programs. However, their governor vetoed the bill. The voter’s got the recognition they wanted by getting the bill passed.
Q11- What good do attempts at enacting Sunset legislation achieve even when the laws are not enacted?
A11- The threat of closing a government office will often times prolong the effectiveness of a government office; therefore, the offices produce results that are desirable to the citizens of that state.