Plain writing: why stop with tax forms?

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed by the President just a few weeks ago. It’s goal: “To enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly.”

In other words, our tax returns will use the same language that we use in our everyday lives, free from governmental and legal platitudes. What a concept.

Understanding that over-technical and legal-ridden verbiage is harmful to both simplicity and comprehension, and armed with governmental action on behalf of the Plain Writing movement, shouldn’t we take a cue from this new law?

Shouldn’t we, within our power, enact our own version of this act?

The Plain and Practical Mission Statement Act.

The Understandable Utility Contract Act.

The Explaining Physics Act.

The Frequently Asked Questions that Actually Answer Frequently Asked Questions Act.

The Cut Pretentiousness From Your “About Us” Section Act.

The Filling Out Health Insurance Forms Without Screaming Act.

If we write, we’re culpable. We’re the ones who can push this change even further, until we’ve stripped away the clutter and cleave the bond between “Important” and “Overwritten.”

So it is written.