Column 46 for July 9, 2000

It may have started with the Vietnam War protests. Or maybe with Watergate. Maybe with parts of the civil rights movement. Possibly it has roots long before that.

What I’m talking about here is the disappearance of genuine "law abiding citizens." What happened to the idealism and respect for our laws that I was taught as a young Cub Scout, and later Boy Scout?

It seems to me that we’ve become a nation of people who have decided that we can pick and choose which laws we will obey and which ones we will ignore. How many "goody two-shoes" do you know that consistently drive over the posted speed limit? How many public schools will ignore the recent Supreme Court decision on prayer? How many flag-waving "conservatives" boast bumper stickers proudly proclaiming their anticipated violation of any new gun control laws? Does a "STOP" sign really mean "YIELD?" How many government agencies sidestep or ignore "open records" or "open meetings" laws? How many officials and other people intentionally ignore laws, knowing that either no one has the resources to sue, or that they have the connections and/or money to avoid trouble? I guess it pays to have friends in high places…

We’ve had many prominent examples to assure us that violating the laws of the land are no big deal. Reagan’s arms sales to the Contras. Picture Nixon proudly proclaiming "I am not a crook!" This attitude knows no party lines. Think of Clinton’s "we didn’t have sex", or "I didn’t inhale."

Possibly the epitome of this lawless attitude was shown by David Dinkins, New York City mayor, when answering accusations that he failed to pay his taxes: "I haven’t committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law." Duhhh.

It could be that our attitudes towards the law have been shaped by our helplessness in creating change through normal legislative processes. Is it even worth contacting our local representatives and other officials, or are their agendas set by some greater power that just us voters?

If you feel this is the case, then shame on us. We elected them in the first place, remember? We could change things. The right way. This year. This is our chance, let’s not let it slip away.

ALL politicians, of every persuasion, are for better schools, lower taxes, better police protection, blah blah blah, and on and on. They all have beautiful families, served in the military, and contribute greatly to their community and church. Ignore all that crapola, it’s all the same. Look for someone different, who admits they are human, not just a "poster" candidate! Someone who will be truly responsive to your input, and doesn’t already know all the answers! "You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions." -Mahfouz Naguib

Shalom! (p.s. it wouldn’t hurt to do a little rain dance from time to time)