03-5-2008

Questioning the Law

By Renae

Raphael, Justice, 1509-1511

Today, after hunting and pecking for candidates, the voting machine popped up its final questions. One of them still rattles around my brain. I understand the implications of this touchy subject, but the question seems odd.

Should federal, state and local officials should be required to enforce U.S. immigration laws in order to secure our borders?

I’m thankful some archaic laws of culture and custom need not be obeyed, but I’m wondering about principles.

  • If a law isn’t enforced, is it really law?
  • If existing laws are not obeyed, should new ones be written?
  • If laws cannot be administered, are too many already in existence?

Without consequences, rules become nothing more than good advice.

Related posts:

  1. Blog Break and Carnival Request
  2. Carnival of Principled Government
  3. Carnival of Principled Government

Filed under Government | Trackback | Comments RSS | Add Comment

Previous: For Homeschoolers by Homeschoolers
Next: Perspective

14 Comments

  1. Melissa 03-5-2008, 7:54 am

    Exactly! Only why does that not seem like common sense to most? Idiocy has to be exemplified IN the laws because of the lack of spiritual context that ensures understanding and liberty.

  2. Michelle 03-5-2008, 9:19 am

    Hi Renae,
    Thank you for visiting my blog. I’ve been so busy and haven’t visited you for a few days. I had a hard time deciding which post to comment on. I love your insightful thoughts. As I read your comments I feel my heart beating along with yours. I love the quote from Sally Clarkson. Sometimes even with Principal Approach I get caught in the doing instead of the being and living. Lately however, we’ve been going through Genesis and it has been SO good. Lots of questions from the kids, relating it to our personal life, how we are like those people who lived so long ago, and how God never changes, His laws are the same and there on consequences. Thanks for all your thoughts. God is so good!!

  3. April 03-5-2008, 6:14 pm

    Renae,

    I totally agree with your thoughts on the law–particularly there being too many of them! I voted against the measure. Primarily because it is obviously a political gimmick (How exactly is the state of Texas going to force federal officials to enforce a law?) And second, because I get this creepy sensation that should a law like this come into existence, it will result in more bureaucracy, more state officials, and more nonsense in the form of lawsuits and petitions and grandstanding that in the end won’t change much. Touchy, difficult subject. I don’t think this measure offers a real solution.

  4. Renae 03-5-2008, 10:15 pm

    Melissa,
    Right. Lack of self-government that leads to more laws. We have forgotten virtue cannot be forced from the outside.

    Michelle,
    Thank you for your kind words. I enjoy hearing about your lessons. My son started reading Scripture everyday on his own. We discuss what he reads, but I want to have more depth. Genesis is the perfect place to start. :)

    A friend told me consequences teach our children to reason. That gave me pause, but I think she is right. We present a reasonable way, and our children think about their choice. No amount of activities can make up for a thoughtful foundation.

  5. Renae 03-5-2008, 10:35 pm

    April,
    Thank you for taking time to reply. It’s great to hear from a fellow Texan.

    According to the Dallas News,

    State Republican officials put the items on the primary ballot in hopes of influencing future legislation….’It gives us a big stick to take to the Legislature.’

    Great. Let’s give them big sticks to throw at each other. Maybe an extended vacation would be better. Then more legislation can’t be introduced or passed, and those overworked officials can rest a bit. I know I could use a break about now. Whew. Sarcasm takes a lot out of me.

  6. Velvia 03-6-2008, 12:14 pm

    Hi Renae!
    Thanks for visiting my blog, I will definitely check out the blogrolling feature. Your blog is great, I look forward to coming back to visit.
    Velvia

  7. Mandi 03-6-2008, 1:19 pm

    In Washington they were having trouble getting drivers to slow down in school zones so what did they do? Enforce the speed limit? No. Make harsher consequences and again start enforcing them? No. They decided that bright florescent yellow signs to replace the normal yellow signs was the perfect solution. Of course! What brilliance! Everyone will slow down now right? It’s so reassuring to know that our government has it all under control! Okay - Maybe I have overdosed a bit on the sarcasm here but I have the needed energy for it since I overdosed on coffee this morning as well! ( :

  8. Jennifer in OR 03-6-2008, 6:04 pm

    I agree, it’s an odd question. I say don’t make a law unless it is to be enforced. Otherwise, all law becomes a farce.

  9. Renae 03-6-2008, 10:54 pm

    Velvia,
    Thanks. I trust you will enjoy blogging. I do! :)

    Mandi,
    That is crazy! I needed to tank up on coffee before I read that. You should have warned me. ;)

    Seriously though, I’m wondering how often I let disobedience go unchecked, and try to regain control by putting up bigger, brighter signs. Ouch. :(

    Jennifer,
    Yes, many of our laws are mocked. And now we have judges ruling according to their whims. Dictators and tyrants are arbitrary. Law is not.

  10. Melinda 03-7-2008, 7:42 pm

    When I read this post I was struck by it in a different perspective from most of the other commenters. My thoughts went immediately to my role as a parent and the rules (”laws”) that I have for my children. There are a few I don’t enforce, and I realized I need to look at them and decided to either begin enforcing them, or discard them. If there are already rules I am not enforcing, how can I expect my children to follow any new ones I may need to make? Lastly, am I not enforcing the rules because there are already too many and I am tired? Thanks for the wake-up call.

  11. Melissa 03-8-2008, 8:15 am

    Well. It can’t be helped. You are so excellent at sharing your thoughts that I have to give you the Excellent Blog Award. You can get the details from my most recent post. Have a great day, Renae!

    Blessings,
    Melissa

  12. Dana 03-8-2008, 10:00 am

    It always surprises me how many people think we need more laws to regulate things when it turns out we have perfectly good laws that are being ignored.

  13. Renae 03-8-2008, 7:11 pm

    Melinda,
    Yes, my thoughts went in that direction, also. It starts with us. I often try to rewrite rules, when I should examine the ones already in existence. Simple is usually better. If I’m truly training my children to be self-governed, the rules will naturally become less and less of an issue as principles take root and work themselves out into life.

    Melissa,
    Thank you. You are so kind. I’ll continue striving for excellence. :)

    Dana,
    I wonder if society’s view of law has been too influenced by marketing tactics. New and improved is always better. Or is it? There is no way that all the laws on record can be enforced, and passing new ones will not eradicate the problem.

  14. Principled Discovery » Carnival of Principled Government, A few questions. 03-16-2008, 9:09 pm

    […] about laws?  Too many?  Not enough?  Or should they just be […]

Add a Comment