There ought to be a law...

[Mythsaje]

Few things I'm likely to read or hear makes me cringe as much as when subjected to this phrase.

Anyone notice how many goddam laws there are already? Or the fact that they never seem to be taken OFF the books? We all get a kick out of old, stupid laws out of history, but few realize that many of them are still quite enforceable.

We really need to carefully consider whether we want to add to that immense weight of paperwork. "Lawmakers" shouldn't take that particular title so seriously.

Too much law can be a dangerous thing. In some cases it can become so hide-bound that its unintentional consequences can end up harming the various people or idea it was meant to protect. Law should not trump human dignity or compassion, but often times it does.

Other laws are simply ignored, or aren't enforceable in the first place, which promotes a certain level of contempt for law itself. Lawlessness becomes almost admired in some respects.

If I were to insist on a law, I'd probably ban backyard breeding of dogs--making it so those who didn't choose to breed for the overall betterment of the species, instead focusing on quick profit--would be unable to do so. Too many of the genetic and behavioral problems associated with many breeds of dogs stems directly from this casual and callous approach to raising dogs. Of all animals, dogs are the ones in closest contact with us and our families that have such a tremendous potential to cause us harm. Yet we allow rank amateurs to breed and sell the animals with no real knowledge of what traits they're breeding into them. </rant.

But I'm reluctant to do so for exactly the reasons listed above. Law isn't even as powerful a deterrent as social pressure can be. But we rely on it SO much we often forget its limitations.

[Internut]

1. In my dream world the total number of laws is limited

to a reasonable number - let's say 1,000. Once that number is reached, in order to pass a new one, you have to repeal an old one.

[Cleita]

2. I've been saying this for forty years.

Why don't we take antiquated laws off the books?

[rasputin1952]

3. Laws in this nation are set to punish perpetrators....

unfortunately, far too often, laws are used to keep the populace "under control", think Homeland Security, which is scary enough.

Any law on the books, does nothing if people pay no attention to them. There are many laws against murder, yet people continue to murder. A Stop Sign cannot stop a car, only the driver can stop the car, (or perhaps the car that strikes the Stop Sign runner).

Thieves will continue to steal, especially if they are rich thieves, like CEO/CFO's until the laws are used equitably. The poor always suffer under oppressive laws

[Deja Q]

4. My opinions on this should be obvious.

Too many laws will keep people from doing anything. They will live in fear and in hiding. They will not create or do; just sit and stew. It would lead to paranoia in some, compelling them to start popping pills in order to feel better (legal or otherwise, it's the same cost either way anymore.)

And social pressure is society's fault. We're all supposed to be individuals with free will. If every other male was wearing a goatee, I will not wear one. I may be branded a nonconformist, but that is their problem. :-)

Never mind how the more wealth and status one has, the less likely they will get just due - but the little guy gets it multiplied by a thousand million.

[Mythsaje]

5. Tell me about it

I'm a long-hair with a mustache AND a goatee. I don't give a damn if it is or is not in style. It's MY style.

I tend to resent too many laws, rules, or policies, because I'm an orderly type of person...I feel obligated to pay attention to the damn things, and half of them annoy the crap out of me.

[LiberalAndProud]

6. Especially when there already is a law

Somebody does something (already) illegal and pretty soon a new law comes along that makes it doubly illegal (I guess)

Maybe we have to keep making laws until nobody breaks them any more.

But then we would have to make new laws to be broken because we require a criminal element in our society, it would seem.