have too many laws on the books? Do new laws create new criminals? Is our legal system so complex that only lawyers understand what is legal and what is not?
2006-11-12 01:52:42 · 6 answers · asked by paulisfree2004 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
I say yes to your question, so if the Republicans are always for smaller Government, why did George Bush impose over 300 signing statements to new legislature with the highest amount of un-opposed one sided Fascist legislature ever created with a Presidency to date? Ultimate "POWER" corrupts, and that is why the Congress is now Democrat...I see investigations non-stop in 07, so don't be too surprised when the Democrats are finally allowed access to the security of our Country.
2006-11-12 03:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 17⤊ 0⤋
Congress has also repealed laws, so it is not an endless progression.
You sound like the courtiers in the movie Amadeus: "too many notes." We have as many laws as someone thinks we need. Americans have always, even before the revolution, been heavy users of the legal system. It's certainly better than dueling!
The legal system itself is not complex. Some laws, like the federal tax code, are deliberately complicated to serve political ends.
Some laws, like the Patriot Act, are so badly written and stupid that the potential consequences will keep lawyers busy for decades.
The new bankruptcy law changes are so badly written and so out of touch with reality that their only result is to make it more expensive to file bankruptcy. While you can now have the filing fee waived if you are indigent, you need to pay a lawyer, and pay the lawyer more, because of the needless complexity of the changes and the unknown consequences of some of the changes.
Even lawyers do not understand what is legal or not in areas outside their areas of expertise.
2006-11-12 02:03:51 · answer #2 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As society changes so must the laws. Basic laws like not killing, stealing, and harming others are always there.
I guess it depends on your definition of crime and criminal. Personally, I like to think there are serious crimes, most would call them felonies and there are misdemeanors. Not renewing your car tag would be something minor and I would hardly call that person a criminal even though they have broken the law.
It is not that our legal system is too complex. I think the issue is that judges do not take people seriously unless they have a lawyer. And remember, all judges were lawyers first. Also, people who do not understand the workings of the legal system often try to act like Perry Mason on their own behalf, taking time from an already over taxed judicial and resolving nothing.
2006-11-12 01:58:25 · answer #3 · answered by Linda R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Too many laws and yes they do create new criminals! Suddenly, what was legal yesterday is no longer legal today. I think a lot of new laws are to the financial benefit of a few and stifle creativity and growth for the majority of people.
2006-11-12 02:41:16 · answer #4 · answered by coastaltugcaptain 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"... Do new laws create new criminals?"
Per the Ex Post Facto Clause, government cannot prosecute a person, under the restrictions of a newly created law, for doing something before the law was made.
2006-11-12 02:43:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are 110% correct...
Congress should be required to remove a law every time they
pass a new one.....We have enough on the books...
Even lawyers must be specialists in certain fields now in order
to understand the laws...
2006-11-12 02:46:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋