why do people insist on following rules and laws even when they disagree with the rules?

Question

poll tax ,smoking ban,retail prices etc etc etc

Answer 1

Perhaps because simple disagreement with rules or laws is an insufficient basis for violations? Human societies have always had laws and regulations. They are necessary for a society to exist. As much as we might prefer it, people cannot simply do whatever they please whenever they please without societal consequence.

If you don't like a law, contact your legislator.

Answer 2

Because that is what democracy is. Laws are enacted on behalf of the majority and are generally obeyed by the majority. In your examples you cite the poll tax. This was very unpopular and caused rioting in the streets and was in any case a bad law in that it was unworkable and unenforceable.Anyway you make 'following the rules' sound like a bad thing- believe me if everyone chose to do their own thing and only obey the laws/rules that they felt like, then life would be pretty soon become impossible.We are seeing this more and more in recent times; many people seem to feel they have the right to'self realisation' and do whatever they like, and sod anyone else. this is why town centres are becoming 'no go' areas a night among many other things too tedious to mention.

Answer 3

Because we need rules to run society and to keep it running smoothly.

Most Americans hated the 55 mile hour speed limit on freeways and despite threats of cutting federal road funding many states are posting higher speed limits. This is also despite the statistics that prove that driving slower saves gas, creates less pollution, and saves lives. Most Americans don't consider that. However, most Americans observe the speed limit and try to stay within a few miles of it. Those that don't will pay for it when they are caught.

The society that doesn't follow the rules that don't like is called anarchy and is the one that most criminals like because they can take unfair advantage of others and rob, cheat, steal and murder their way to the top of the culture. At least until they find they are not as tough as they thought they were or someone else beats them, which will happen eventually. This is no way to run a stable society.

If you break the laws that you don't like then what is there to stop me or someone else from murdering you? They might not like this question, your hair style, or the fact that you made eye contact with them. People in super-max prisons will kill other imamates for these kind of crimes. Do you really want to live in that kind of world?

Locks keep honest people honest. I accidentally left a $5 bill on the seat in my car in plain view. If the car wasn't unlocked then a lot of people (and I would be one of them) would be tempted to open the car and take the bill. I got lucky no one did. Once I left a flashlight on the seat in the same car in the same parking lot. A thief wanted it, or thought it would be neat to get it. They broke my passenger window and took the flashlight, which cost me close to $100 to replace. Is that fair? Do you want to live in a world like that?

What keeps people following the laws they don't like is the threat of what happens; they could go to jail. I really fear prison and so, despite the fact that I am poor I won't commit any bank robberies soon. The possible penalty is worse than the possible benefit, even if I might make a good bank robber. This helps to keep me honest. I think theft is morally wrong and that I would hate myself if I tried to rob a bank, but I don't have to rely on just that feeling. More importantly I don't have to rely on others who may not have as good a moral sense as I have.

Answer 4

Because we live in a society. That means we live around more than just ourselves. And in the case of the US the majority in the society elect representatives to legislate laws and rules to protect and defend the society as a whole. Not everybody is happy about that and some even don't bother to live within the law. So for that, society has created law enforcement agencies, courts and prisons. Simple really. If you can afford your own country, you can make or break any laws that you like. Otherwise you can choose to live within the limits of the law that society has laid down or accept the consequences which society dictates.

Answer 5

Because as civilized people we prefer to live under the rule of law rather than the rule of men. That doesn’t mean that you cannot legitimately challenge arbitrary authority but you have to do so within the boundaries of the existing system. I do not accept the idea of simply ignoring those laws and rules that are personally objectionable or inconvenient. As Abraham Lincoln said, “the easiest way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it vigorously.”

Answer 6

There will always be rules. The ones you dont like write your congressman or the appropiate person in charge, protest if you want. Its the American way. Thank God for the laws that protect us though and dont forget about the laws that give us the freedom to express ourselves.

Answer 7

Its not like the old days if we don't belive in something we have no power to change it prostests don't mean anything anymore just a media report. We have no power to stop what happens any more conservative and labour are the only parties that will ever get in and they practically say the same things. A long time a ago if we were unhappy with tax/unemployement we would revolt/have a revoution but there is a much greater power over us now and we don't really have much effect. We'll just get thrown in jail.
-i'm leaving the UK so long

Answer 8

What if I disagreed with the laws on murder and murdered you with a blunt carving knife and then force fed your still warm heart to your mother?

Is that ok with you?

Laws are there to maintain some element of order in society, even though some people are choosey about which ones apply to them.

Answer 9

Because in the US we do not get rid of unpopular laws/rules by ignoring them. We have procedures including petitioning our elected representatives, electing new representatives that favor our opinion, and going into court for changing laws/rules.

Answer 10

people dont insist. If we don't follow the laws of the land then we are criminals . Doesn't mean we like the laws. there is more than one way to skin a cat.