I see a lot of the Democratic Presidential candidates proposing lots of well meaning Fed. laws. That’s fine, maybe we should try some things intended to make life better. But I would put a sunset clause on them so they have to be renewed by Congress in 10 years or so. Because laws of... ramblinggit.com

@bradenslen Do you think it would be a good idea to have sunset clauses on Social Security and Medicare as well? Because much of what the Dems are proposing are similar entitlements.

@Bruce No and who knows? I'd ditch Medicare for a universal, Canadian style, healthcare system and damn the torpedoes, but that's just me.

Apply sunset clauses wherever it is appropriate and proper.

1. I would apply the same to any Republican initiatives, if they had any initiatives, other than wanting to kick puppies.
2. One can play with the length of a sunset clause making it longer as needed. 20 - 50 years? Whatever.
3. Not all entitlements are equal. There is a vast difference between something as all pervasive as Social Security and (I'm making this up) a Federally mandated maternity leave.
4. A sunset provision can make a new entitlement easier to pass into law.
   
5. Sunset provisions allow more freedom to experiment.
6. All to often, laws are enacted, everybody feels good, and then the law is forgotten by the lawmakers to actually see if it is working as intended. Sunset forces a review.
7. Time marches on. Laws become obsolete yet they stay on the books causing mischief generations into the future.

I'll give you an example from the Conseervative side: The so called Patriot Act. Many provisions of that act have a sunset clause on them, as well they should. I can't help it that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have enough spine to vote against renewal, but at least the clause is there and maybe someday that will change.

@bradenslen I think our disagreement is primarily about the impact of sunsetting entitlements. Your example of mandated parental leave may not be as pervasive as Social Security, but millions of people would make life decisions around it. The possibility of it disappearing would add a ton of uncertainty to their lives.

Also, as entitlements directly and obviously impact citizens’ lives, constituents will keep them on legislators’ plate?

But, yes, on things like the patriot act (and perhaps much of federal criminal law), forcing Congress to take a look every so often would be excellent.

Also, do you think sunsetting should apply to administrative law as well? Congress has delegated plenty of rules and regulations making to the EPA, FTC, etc…