June 24, 1998


The KISS Formula Applied to Congress


After paying very close attention to our Congress and its members in action, a fact that has emerged is our Congress has the inability to focus and to write a bill that is is clear-cut and easily understood. In fact, it is not often that a bill is even interpreted the same within political parties and, thus, bills provide the stage for political maneuvering.

Consider this. If you are explaining a procedure you know very well to a group with the result half of the people interpret your explanation one way while the other half interprets it another, isn’t it obvious to you you haven’t explained the procedure clearly enough so that all interpret it the same?

And, wouldn’t you then explain it again and try to simplify your explanation? That is, of course, if you wished the people to understand the procedure.

The problem with Congress is they do not simplify. Instead of bills being written clearly and simply so that any American reading them could understand the bill and its intent, they are often written so not even members of Congress can clearly state exactly what a particular bill will accomplish. Thus, we have Republicans saying one thing while Democrats say another.

Thus, the need for KISS. This is an age-old sales adage our elite in Congress would do well to practice. It’s the K.I.S.S. formula for more effective sales which stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. So easy but so difficult for people who aren’t really concerned about getting to the point and staying with the point.

Here is a possible solution to the problems which have resulted in a Congress doing little more than just putting in their time.

First, all bills should be written clearly, simply, and concisely following KISS with only the topic of the bill being treated in the bill.

Second, amendments should not be allowed as this is done for political reasons, such as hiding appropriations a member or members of Congress wants, to get legislation passed that could not stand on its own, to mask the intent of the bill, or to result in the bill dying a slow death as with the recent tobacco bill.

Third, if at any time Republicans say the bill will do one thing while the Democrats say it will do another, then it is obvious the bill is not clearly written with only one interpretation and should be re-written until all, including the public, agree on its content and its intent.

Fourth, in order to prevent measures taken such as by the House Leader concerning campaign reform, once a bill is proposed then it must go to vote. If focused on the topic and written simply without amendments so all Congressmen and citizens have the same interpretation, then this should not present a problem.

Thus, it is the bill’s intent that is voted on, not all the useless, misleading rhetoric so often exemplified by our representatives in Congress.

Now, this is just a theory but I believe members of Congress do not want bills simply written. By being open to multiple interruptations, they are also open to whatever hidden agenda Congress has in mind.

Thus, it is up to us, Ladies and Gentlemen, to insist on KISS by Congress. Let's get their hidden agendas out in the open.