Search:

Custom Search

Readers' Comments

Total Comments: 45
Page 1 of 6

« Previous | Next »

House to Federal Employees: Write in "Plain Language"

Plain Language

Retired
Department of Veterans Affairs
Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:52 AM

Post Reply

It seems to me that Congress should start with all of the "stuff" they publish. What they put out is even more confusing then the tax code.

Re: Plain Language

Mgmt Analyst
HHS
Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:43 PM
Amen!! Congress needs to set the example, not just dictate it! I don't think plain language includes "pursuant, notwithstanding, thereof, henceforth, et. al."

Plain Language

Supervisor
DoD
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:10 AM

Post Reply

Plain language will (has) had trouble catching on perhaps because that is the intent! Imagine a tax law, written in plain english that states "This is a tax break for a specific company that made significant contributions to my campaign". Pretty easy to understand, impossible to defend!

Plain Talk

Manager
DOT
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:12 AM

Post Reply

Our regulations are littered with congressional earmarks for certain excepted practices (not always money). To write a reply letter that doesn't include options available to the constituant is not plausable nor fair. Congress made this mess. Constituants paid good money to get out of regulatory oversight and all have the right to participate equally.

Simplify

Program Analyst
USDA FS
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:17 AM

Post Reply

Plain language advocates should pick up the pen, much mightier than the sword, and take on those people who insist on using the words "utilize" and "utilization"! The word use (noun) or use (verb) instead. Stop using three or four syllables when one conveys meaning nicely.

Utilize and utilization are useless....

Re: Simplify

Reformed Conservative
DFAS
Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:04 PM
Utilize your writing implement! Communicate with other individuals!

Re: Simplify

Contract Specialist
DoD
Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:09 AM
Eschew obfuscation!

Plain Language

Human Resources Specialist
Air Force
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:29 AM

Post Reply

I find it ironic that President Clinton mandated "plain language" yet argued "...it depends on what the meaning of is is."

Consider the effect on the economy?

Nameless, Faceless Nobody
DOD
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:34 AM

Post Reply

What!!! Plain language would put many people out of work!

Consider the lawyers, the brokers, the tax preparers, the IRS employees, the...well, you get the idea.

I wish I remembered where I first read this idea: Make any law not easily and correctly interpreted by an average 8th grader uninforceable.

I would even be happy with the idea of an average 12th grader, but you get the idea.

We would have fewer laws and fewer lawsuits if plain language were required everywhere.

Plain language

Electronics Tech.
FAA
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:43 AM

Post Reply

Anyone care to explain ANYTHING written by the House or Senate? Talk about incomprehensable mish-mash!! Congress should get their house in order before complaining about anyone else.

Maybe the problem is that a bunch of lawyers can't understand anything that is written in plain language, or has any technical terms in it.

What a bunch of boobs!

Total Comments: 45
Page 1 of 6

« Previous | Next »

Add a Comment about this Article

** All fields are required.
Note: Your comments will not show up right away. FedSmith.com selects the most insightful comments from our readers for posting. If selected, your comments will show up in the comments section after they have been reviewed and approved. See our terms of use for more information.