So I guess a few ‘silencers’ here, a ‘little’ 4th Amendment violation there, an occasional US citizen assassination without due process wherever, it’s all good cuz the ends justifies the means. The system has been corrupted. Those in power ignore laws. Why ANYONE still obeys any law is a wonderment....
“Why ANYONE still obeys any law is a wonderment....”
Maybe because those who don’t have to follow laws might want to make an example of me. As you said, “...an occasional US citizen assassination without due process...” Gets the attention.
Not that I think we’ve arrived at that point yet...
Unjust conduct, when unpunished, from ‘authorities,’ does have a chilling effect on compliance with the law by others. One might say, ‘if there is no virtue in sight, then why should I step back in the name of virtue?’ However, I would exclaim that stepping away from virtue is really just cowardice. But what is virtue? Virtue is known (or should have been known) as the law. Yes, think about it.
We obey the law because we are philosophically committed to the Rule of Law. We are committed to the idea that there should be a just and legal jurisprudence, and that such a jurisprudence is an aspect of, and necessity for, any happy and sane civilization. We obey the law because we believe that it is better to act justly and virtuously than to act otherwise. We also obey the law, even in the face of the unjust, in order to set an example of what is just for all to see, and perhaps from which they may learn virtue.
That’s only about the best way I can express that thought tonight, but I hope you see my humble point, FRiend.