Edward 4Follow the Law! (if you feel like it...)
August 30th 2009 18:45
If there is one prevailing attitude toward the rule of law in this country, it’s that it is more of a guide, a series of suggestions really, than a solid line that one should not cross.
Take, for example, the idea of corporate tax fraud and loopholes. Sure these massive companies should have to pay the amount owed as established by U.S. law, but if we let them slide and they get to keep more of their money, then it promotes the U.S. economy by enticing more companies to our shores. By enforcing the tax laws on these corporations we are endangering our economic stability.
Does this sound ridiculous? That’s because it is ridiculous. American law is established by our elected officials and reflects the will of the American people. Public officials, who are elected by the people and paid out of our pockets, have absolutely NO right to take the law into their own hands.
Case in point: the impending investigation of the CIA regarding torture. Torture, as established by the U.S. constitution is illegal. For public figures such as Dick Cheney to come out and say that the investigation is a mistake is not only ridiculous, but irrelevant. If a crime is perpetrated, that crime should be investigated no matter who says otherwise.
If the people of America believed in the effectiveness and morality of torture, than through the proper channels torture would be legalized. But that is not the case. If the law was broken there should be an investigation. Just as if a murder or robbery was perpetrated, even if the intentions for the crime were morally ambiguous, it should still be investigated. To let our institutions (especially those in the military or intelligence field) go unchecked is a very slippery, and VERY dangerous slope.
Take, for example, the idea of corporate tax fraud and loopholes. Sure these massive companies should have to pay the amount owed as established by U.S. law, but if we let them slide and they get to keep more of their money, then it promotes the U.S. economy by enticing more companies to our shores. By enforcing the tax laws on these corporations we are endangering our economic stability.
Does this sound ridiculous? That’s because it is ridiculous. American law is established by our elected officials and reflects the will of the American people. Public officials, who are elected by the people and paid out of our pockets, have absolutely NO right to take the law into their own hands.
need i say more?
Case in point: the impending investigation of the CIA regarding torture. Torture, as established by the U.S. constitution is illegal. For public figures such as Dick Cheney to come out and say that the investigation is a mistake is not only ridiculous, but irrelevant. If a crime is perpetrated, that crime should be investigated no matter who says otherwise.
If the people of America believed in the effectiveness and morality of torture, than through the proper channels torture would be legalized. But that is not the case. If the law was broken there should be an investigation. Just as if a murder or robbery was perpetrated, even if the intentions for the crime were morally ambiguous, it should still be investigated. To let our institutions (especially those in the military or intelligence field) go unchecked is a very slippery, and VERY dangerous slope.
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