The role of legislators and morality .................?

Question

I have noticed that there are some in government that believe they decide what is and is not moral? No thats not what the British Empire fought for WE the people decide what is and is not right and they say YES SIR ........and make it happen - make it law.

From smoking in bars to brain dead organ donation the decition of right and wrong is NOT their's and I resent the fact they think it is.
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?????

Answer 1

1. We must elect people on their actions not by their words it is much easier to lie than it is to take action and do something. The few in government stand for all the people, it is our responsibility to elect people who have the same morals we have or as close as possible.
2. The younger generations need to get out and vote! I work at a senior center and come election day the seniors are all up there voting. Every one of them votes. My morals are not the same as the older generations are yours? I would like more freedoms to choose for myself. Our town has a No Smoking in restaurants ordinance, I live in a college town and these kids were all getting upset over this ordinance but did they go vote?, obviously not. I am a non smoker but I did not agree with this idea simply for the fact that people should have a choice. The owners who pay taxes and support our community had no say over what was happening in their own restaurant. You don't like smoke, work somewhere where smoking is not allowed, you don't have to work there. Stop whining! We are slowing losing our rights as Americans to make our own decisions. Take a stand now before it's too late.

Answer 2

The way I learned it back in High School Civics class, was that laws are (theoretically at least) based on protection of individual rights -- those listed in The Bill of Rights along with the right to be secure in one's person and the right to be secure in one's property. That is, under the law, whether theft is or is not moral is irrelevant. All that matters is that it infringes on the right of others to be secure in their property. Time and again the SCOTUS has ruled that mere moral disapproval is NOT sufficient cause to uphold laws that interfere with our personal liberties, that the legislative branch must have compelling reason for such interference. Compel means force -- that is, the legislative branch MUST interfere when personal actions have the effect of infringing on the rights of others.

If we are going to have a Constitutional amendment, it ought not be about such silliness as burning pieces of colored cloth or relegating homosexuals to official second class status. It should be to clarify this principle. If activity infringes on the rights of others, the government MUST act to protect individual rights. If private activity between consenting adults does NOT infringe on the rights of thers, the government MAY NOT interfere with that activity.

Of course, then we get into grey areas like motorcycle helmet laws.

Answer 3

Just as drugs are illegal, smoking in public places should, at the very least, be banned. It is dangerous not only to those who smoke, but to those who are subjected to the second hand smoke. Smoking sections do not work unless there is no way for a non smoker to come in contact with the smoke in any way and that does not happen.Also, it is the government's job to protect workers when employers do not. Those who have to work in smoke-filled places are in danger from the smoke as well. I only wish that this ban was in place when I was there the last time.

Answer 4

You obviously know nothing about this country... we are a republic, which means the people do NOT get to make laws and legislate. Elected officials do the law making and legislating. Democracies let people call the shots and make the rules. Democracies always end up in chaos and suicide because most people are insane and are clueless.

Answer 5

Start spending our time educating ourselves about candidates and what their platform is before the next elections. We want people who don't just give lip-service, we want people whose past record show what they stand for. The next election is so very important because we have to right all the wrongs the last administration screwed up. We need do our homework now and then in 2008 get out and VOTE!!!

Answer 6

We can start by gunning down those that don't believe that we are all created equal and we all have the equal right to destroy the environment. Why should some have the right to destroy the environment with their car exhaust, but I can't smoke in a restaurant? Sounds like a double standard to me.

Answer 7

They are called The Religious Right Wing Conservatives . That is their agenda . That is what they live for , to make sure that you go to heaven with them . What's wrong with that , plenty , Your religion is your business and what you do is between you and your God . Yes , that is why we left Europe and came to America to get away from religious zealots . Six century's later , here we are again . What goes around comes around .

Answer 8

the "some in government" are representative of We the People. We hired them. It IS their job to decide for us.
However, it should be easier to fire them, easier to limit how long they stay in office, and harder for them to buy off voters with their pork.
It should be easier for we the people to create federal laws, by the initiative process as it is in some states, to do what they're unwilling to do or to correct what they've already done.

Answer 9

morality is the responsibility of society, not government. in a perfect world, society would deem one thing or another moral, and have its own power to enforce it- should society find ear peircings wrong, i know that WE the people would find a way to discourage ear peircing in entirely legal ways; we could boycott any store that gave ear peircings.

i do not blame government for stepping in on our responsibility to judge morality of our society for ourselves. too often we as a society look to the government to take care of these things for us.

a very difficult example of this is abortion. those of you quick to say that the government should not legislate morality should look at your own views on abortion; both sides ask the government to take their side of morality.

what can we do?

do not merely look for candidates who support your morality, look for candidates who understand their job to not legislate it- i would vote for a man who hated smoking as long as he respected my right to do so.

free society must be trusted to take care of itself, with big brother looking out for the bullies, not holding our hand.

Answer 10

Hang the lot of them and start over.