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>>The rule of law might not seem always fair, but it hampers the powerful much more than the weak. I guess we live in different realities. The powerful have pr

>>The rule of law might not seem always fair, but it hampers the powerful much more than the weak. I guess we live in different realities. The powerful have proven over and over that they are capable of subverting the system in their own favor using their resources and influence. >>As an example: None of the billionaires in my city have set up their own duchy pressed us into an army, enforcing their own laws. They haven't set up their own duchies with private armies because they haven't had to. The state already protects them. Here is a direct quote from Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations: “Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.”

hueving 11y ago
>I guess we live in different realities. The powerful have proven over and over that they are capable of subverting the system in their own favor using their resources and influence. At least the post you are replying to had the courtesy of providing supporting arguments.
- smalley 11y ago
  I don't think I agree with the extreme nature of the premise a number of comments up the thread, that said my favorite example of this: http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939 http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939 A hedge fund manager had his criminal charges substantially reduced over the victim's objections because having a felony would mean the hedge fund manager would have to admit what he did to his clients. The defendant in question struck a bicyclist in a hit and run, drove far away and called for roadside assistance for his car never mentioning anything about the bicyclist he left with lifelong injuries. Of course the excuse is that after he was caught he agree to pay some restitution to the victim... Anyway, just a crazy story that I figured I'd share so not really a study of real national trends or anything.
- sharpray 11y ago
  Did you miss the Adam Smith quote he provided? Is that not an argument or are you being obtuse on purpose?

hueving 11y ago

>I guess we live in different realities. The powerful have proven over and over that they are capable of subverting the system in their own favor using their resources and influence. At least the post you are replying to had the courtesy of providing supporting arguments.

smalley 11y ago
I don't think I agree with the extreme nature of the premise a number of comments up the thread, that said my favorite example of this: http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939 http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101109939 A hedge fund manager had his criminal charges substantially reduced over the victim's objections because having a felony would mean the hedge fund manager would have to admit what he did to his clients. The defendant in question struck a bicyclist in a hit and run, drove far away and called for roadside assistance for his car never mentioning anything about the bicyclist he left with lifelong injuries. Of course the excuse is that after he was caught he agree to pay some restitution to the victim... Anyway, just a crazy story that I figured I'd share so not really a study of real national trends or anything.
sharpray 11y ago
Did you miss the Adam Smith quote he provided? Is that not an argument or are you being obtuse on purpose?