[ClearCase_guy]

"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against--then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted--and you create a nation of law-breakers--and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."

-- Dr. Floyd Ferris "Atlas Shrugged"

[Free Vulcan]

I always hated people who, back in simpler times, poked fun of constitutional minded types with lines like ‘well I have nothing to hide.’

My response always was that the govt will keep passing laws till you do have something to hide.

And today, here we are.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Beat me to it!

[Jonty30]

I totally agree. We should not be jailing people for misdemeanors.

When we do jail people for minor crimes, we shouldn’t be mixing them with violent or predatory inmates, because we just end up with more violent and predatory inmates as a result.