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Anyone else find it ironic that access to the law is so difficult yet every adult citizen is expected to know every single law that applies at any time in any l

by joesmo 11y ago

Anyone else find it ironic that access to the law is so difficult yet every adult citizen is expected to know every single law that applies at any time in any location in the US and all possible interpretations, case law history, precedents, rulings, etc in history. And that's just to stay out of jail?

hga 11y ago
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know that this is not the age of beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one 'makes' them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted-and you create a nation of law-breakers and then you cash in on the guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." --Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged For a modern improvement on this, look up anarcho-tyranny.
- ferentchak 11y ago
  I always loved that part of the book. I think it's a perfect explanation/application for another quote. "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." Tacitus
  - hga 11y ago
    Not surprisingly not a recent thing. I consider myself to be very lucky to have taken Latin in high school and then and after studying Roman history (and much more nowadays), today's events don't surprise me hardly as much as they might.

by joesmo 11y ago

hga 11y ago

"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know that this is not the age of beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one 'makes' them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted-and you create a nation of law-breakers and then you cash in on the guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." --Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged For a modern improvement on this, look up anarcho-tyranny.

ferentchak 11y ago
I always loved that part of the book. I think it's a perfect explanation/application for another quote. "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." Tacitus
- hga 11y ago
  Not surprisingly not a recent thing. I consider myself to be very lucky to have taken Latin in high school and then and after studying Roman history (and much more nowadays), today's events don't surprise me hardly as much as they might.