If you could pass one law, just one, what would it be?

[kickassangel]

And it must be fairly specific, so can't just be that everyone must be nice to everyone.

Please state, law , purpose, possible complications/details as necessary.

Mine: any person who had sex and became a parent would be financially liable for 50 % of money to raise that person until they were independent.

Purpose: hopefully, people would not have unprotected sex but would think about the outcomes of their actions, and one parent couldn't bugger off and make the other live in penury whilst they dodged the CSA.

Details: DNA tests would be necessary, some parents would need benefits to help them pay, women would have to have private counseling before a termination to prevent coercion. The child would be considered independent at age 18 or when leaving school. I cases of rape, the rapist would be liable for 100% of costs to raise child. Absolutely no link between the duty to pay and any rights to see the child.

What law would you pass?

Very good post idea, hmmmm what to pick? Oh I know:

Mine: A law to address income disparity between men/women.

Purpose: To ensure men and women are paid equally for doing the same jobs, and to address the problem that low paying jobs have disproportionately more women working them than men, and that the reverse is true with high income jobs.

Details: In instances where men and women hold the same job position the company is legally required to ensure the wages match. In addition a government subsidy should be introduced to allow women working low income jobs to receive free part time education, to improve their marketable skill sets. This subsidy would exist for as long as the disparity remains, and would allow one applicant free education for one course of study.

Mine: a law stating that the make up of the House of Commons and House of Lords must reflect the country at the time (male/female, religion incl atheism, ethnic background, socioeconomic background).

Purpose: promote equality of legislature and governance through law-makers coming from a representative cross-section. Encourage genuine representation through varied viewpoints. Force political parties to abandon old boys networks.

Details: would need some leeway as there aren't that many parliamentarians and it would be ridiculous to argue over the 'token Sikh' for example, and obviously parties can't fully control who gets voted for. Could be a percentage tolerance and averaging over a number of parliaments. Should not be candidates submitted to elections though as minorities may just be given the seats that can't be won. Also might need to be introduced gradually, with full alignment taking a number of years, as sitting members can't be immediately removed without disastrously destabilising the country.

All UK earnings and income to be taxed in the UK. This goes for companies and individuals. No non-dom tax rates, no offshore accounting, no paying back of 'loans' or other financial arrangements to parent companies in tax havens abroad. If you don't want to do business in the UK, then don't let the door hit your arse on the way out. Bankers, oligarchs, multinationals who don't like it - bye bye.

I would pass a law establishing marriage equality in my US state so that gay people would have the right to marry here. (Marriage laws, for the most part, are state matters in the US; currently nine states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.)

For my law to be fully effective though, the federal Defense of Marriage Act would have to be repealed or declared unconstitutional (currently before the Supreme Court).

mandatory (paid) paternity leave, so that women can go back to work earlier leaving dc at home (if they wish to)

I believe there are too many laws as it is. I would prefer to abolish one silly and/or confusing law.

Anyone with a child under a year old has to dress said child in an amusing animal costume at least once a month.

I would legalise abortion on demand. Its makes me so angry that I live in a country where having an abortion comes with a 14 year jail term.

I'd like to introduce a law which moves the criminal justice system towards a more restorative approach.

Hopefully it would be more therapeutic for victims, would reduce repeat offences, free up prison spaces and give people a chance to correct and atone for their actions.

I would make it illegal to put a girl through the horror of female circumcision, and make it punishable by imprisonment of say...14yrs.

Oh wait!!!!

Law: Knocking, pushing or shoving at people in the street should be made illegal and carry penalties similar to a low level of assault.

Purpose: to strip street-slammers and others who shove their way through life of money or respect.

Details: They either get a fine, or alternatively have to attend Pavement Safety, a one-day course run by Corygal. This course includes one sharp, very sore slap across the face or body. Followed with few spiteful smacks with a shopping bag that leave them shaken and trembling.

Then Corygal sends them home to be unsteadied, jolted and pushed on public transport. On arrival, they are advanced upon by a large child with a scooter.

Oh, and in support of my new law, I note that the police have arrested the 'rushed' commuter who shoved a man under a train on the tube last Xmas. He's up for murder.

interestonly - would you use the profits from cannabis sale to set up special psychosis units for those who get schizophrenia from using it?

And long-term housing units for the consequently non-functional mentally ill?

I'd like to see good relationship education become compulsory with a mandatory curriculum.

Purpose is to teach kids about healthy relationships with people and especially people they're in a relationship. It would empower young people to say no to sexual activity they're not comfortable with, it would teach them not to pressurise others into things they don't want to to, it would help identify controlling, abusive or bullying behaviour, it would teach young boys not to verbally harass girls... So many issues could be addressed.

Probably relationship education as well. And remove the opt-out for sex/relationship education that parents can use at the moment.

I'd like to see good relationship education become compulsory with a mandatory curriculum.

This is required in my state, I am happy to say:

"The health education curriculum for students in grades 7 through 12 shall include a teen dating violence and abuse component that includes, but is not limited to, the definition of dating violence and abuse, the warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior, the characteristics of healthy relationships, measures to prevent and stop dating violence and abuse, and community resources available to victims of dating violence and abuse."

I like the idea that parliament should reflect the population. Maybe to avoid the issues of being voted in, ther could be a super special secret grip which IS representative, who read all. Bills first and approve them before they get passed? There's a lot to be said for people not having to worry about gaining the popular vote and just making decision made on their principles.

Free provision of sanitary products and condoms worldwide endorsed and promoted by the church inc the catholic church.. A v big ask, am aware and impossible to legislate for.

Imagine the results though- girls in developing countries wdnt miss school or get pregnant as young thereby massively improving their life chances. HIV rates would plummet. Longterm huge cost-saving on health/unwanted children/unskilled workforce oh to be president of the world!

Legalise all drugs. This will almost get rid of drug criminality.

Means test pensions.

All companies to publish ALL salaries.

I would change laws around housing - Longer tenancies, some kind of rent capping, higher standards of new builds, improvement of current housing stock and creation of more social housing.

I agree with quite a lot of these!

Interest - yes good idea. I think we would gain a lot, and save ££, if people took this up, for example if everyone left the pub relaxed and chilled out, instead of looking for a fight.

Sexual offences trials to be inquisitorial rather than adversial.

Because , in effect, the current laws require the victim to convince a jury that they did not consent, rather than the defendant explaining how they thought they gained it. And juries seem to be shit at consent stuff when it comes to sex.

It would overturn our whole system of justice.

Before enacting that law, i would rather the whole populace were educated in the concepts of consent and enthusiastic participation, then perhaps it wouldn't be necessary, given that juries would then have a clue and the CPS would have more faith in bringing cases to trial.