I don't understand how people use the "the government says it's illegal so that's it". I can't understand why people go along with whatever the government says without question as to WHY something is illegal. Have people become so well trained that they actaully believe that if the government says, that's the final word and they know best?
When it comes to certain things...I like to know WHY something is illegal. Is it illegal because it's truly a bad thing or is it illegal for other political reasons.
Sorrry but..."The government said so" doesn't float with me.
2007-02-02 02:49:07 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Many of the basic laws of our country (laws against murder, stealing, rape, etc) have been influenced by Roman codes, Judeo-Christian and other religious ethics, and traditions that have persisted in our society to this day. These are the kinds of things that most people will automatically identify as "wrong" for whatever reason.
Other laws, like tax laws and things like that, have been implemented by our government and are more specific to our particular country. I think that people follow these laws for a couple of reasons:
1) Because the act of having a government, especially one like ours which is theoretically supported by the people, implies that you expect that goverment to govern, that is, implement laws that will regulate society and/or allow for continuation of the government in question. In our country (again theoretically) these laws are made and approved by elected officials who are supposed to vote according to the will of the people whom they represent, therefore people generally follow them, believing that the laws represent a general consensus.
2) Because if people disregarded laws at their convenience, the eventual outcome would be anarchy. There are times when I would rather not have to pay taxes, but I know that if everybody decided not to pay taxes then there would be no money in the government to pay for health research or highway repairs (just as an example). If we want to change how much taxes we're charged, we're supposed to follow the process and elect lawmakers who will support tax cuts. That way the law is followed and order is kept.
I do think there is an element of "the government knows best" in some people's responses, and certainly it's important to know why laws are being implemented (politics definately plays a role at times). It's our right to know the reasoning behind certain laws, in this country at least. But at the same time, we do have an obligation to follow those laws, even if we disagree with them at times, because to do otherwise would defeat the purpose of having laws and a government in the first place. If we want change, then we have to change the people in power. Last November's election (in the US) was a great example of this.
That's my take on it, anyway. Sorry for the long-winded response :).
2007-02-02 03:14:08 · answer #1 · answered by SARAH A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Government is supposed to mean the Legal Residents. Illegal is another way of saying unlawful. I understand why there is questions about The Government when the background and reasoning of forming America is not taught in school any more. I hope you are going to become educated before The Government is past history!
2007-02-02 02:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your confusing right and wrong with legal and illegal. Things ARE illegal becasue the government said so. If the question is why did the government make things illegal, then that's a valid question and could depend on a lot of things like morals, right and wrong, politics, etc.
2007-02-02 14:56:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Liberals know as much as a box of rocks.. The Liberal ideology is a theory , fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and which holds forth beliefs that have no basis in reality. They are Advocates of a policy that empowers a strong federal government to enslave its people with a high tax burden incident to the support of extravagant and unnecessary social programs destructive to both the work ethic among the lower class, and the incentive to innovate and succeed among the working class. "When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." Liberals like to spend other peoples money!! The problems we face today are because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living. @
2016-05-24 05:09:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion; the government set these rights and law when the bill of rights was established to try and keep society at peace. Some laws are common sense: like you can not kill someone, rape someone, etc. Others are to protect you and others around you. Things that are illegal are governed, so in a way it is "The Government Said So." From past experiences from our founding fathers and others along they way they are trying to keep society from becoming like other countries like Iran, Iraq, etc. Hope that gives you one side.
2007-02-02 03:03:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legality and illegality are fought and redefined in our courts all the time.
People get away with breaking the law all the time. Even people who are caught. Ask OJ.
If you want to test the limits of "legality" you have two choices...
Become a criminal.
Become a lawyer.
Your choice!
2007-02-02 03:00:34 · answer #6 · answered by Mindy K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would help if you had specific examples...but largely things are illegal if they are detrimental to the public safety..thus murder, robbery and arson are all illegal...so is drug use, entering the country without permission (illegal aliens) and driving while intoxicated....the govt says so because your elected officials have determined it for you..thats why you elect them..if you don't like a law..there are ways to go about changing them
2007-02-02 03:00:34 · answer #7 · answered by kerfitz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i feel the same way, the same thing goes with religion.
My roommate sayd its a sin to get drunk and I shouldn't do it. But We have two different religions and I have never heard it said for my religion. He basically said that anything that is a law made by man is also a law to follow through religion, basically saying its a sin if you do something illegal which I dont like.
2007-02-02 02:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by mierdurez 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our legal system can be changed. Our current laws were put there by people who wanted them. If you want to change them, write your congressman. It really is fairly simple. If you voted, it's your government. Don't complain about it. Do something about it.
2007-02-02 03:01:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes. of course laws change. as times change. it used to be illegal to help escaping slaves, but that wasn't "wrong" according to our sensibilities now and we admire folks who broke that law and helped slaves escape. laws are made by our elected representatives (us in some sense) but you can work to change them. in the meantime there may be penalties for breaking the law that exists.
2007-02-02 02:57:56 · answer #10 · answered by Sufi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋