Cameron Miranda
The idea that a government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law is a powerful one. It suggests that when those in power are able to act with impunity, they will inevitably abuse that power. This quote raises important questions about the nature of law and power, and the potential consequences when the two become entangled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Governments can change the law after an emergency has happened | "A government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law" |
| Governments can create laws that make it impossible for people to live without breaking them | "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" |
| Governments can create emergencies to break the law | "A government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law" |
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What You'll Learn
- A government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law
- The government that is in power is very rarely the same government that enacted all of the laws
- The people breaking the law are not the same as those writing the laws
- Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws
- Far more violence has been done in obeying the law than in breaking the law
A government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law
The quote underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law, regardless of the circumstances. When a government is given free rein to act without legal constraints, it can lead to abuse of power and a breakdown of the social contract between the state and its citizens.
One example of this can be seen in the actions of the ATF, which broke the law by sending tens of thousands of firearms to the Sinaloa cartel from 2006 to 2014, citing a declared emergency due to drugs entering the United States. This is a clear illustration of how a government agency can exploit a crisis to justify unlawful behaviour.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the government in power is rarely the same government that enacted all the laws. For instance, most constitutions are centuries old. This means that the current administration may not share the same values or principles as the lawmakers who came before them, yet they still have the power to interpret and enforce those laws as they see fit.
Ultimately, when a government breaks the law, it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the very foundation of a just and equitable society. As Ayn Rand wrote in *Atlas Shrugged*, "When people accept breaking the law as normal, something happens to the whole society." It is crucial that we hold our leaders accountable and ensure that the rule of law is respected, even in times of emergency.
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The government that is in power is very rarely the same government that enacted all of the laws
A government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law. For example, the ATF broke the law by sending tens of thousands of firearms to the Sinaloa cartel from 2006 to 2014 because of a declared emergency due to drugs coming into the United States. The government could also change the law after an emergency happened and then do whatever it wanted. This is a dangerous situation, as the government has control over the laws and can define what the law is.
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. Far more violence has been done in obeying the law than in breaking the law. When people accept breaking the law as normal, something happens to the whole society.
The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, the government makes more. They declare so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for people to live without breaking laws.
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The people breaking the law are not the same as those writing the laws
> The people breaking the law are not the same as those writing the laws.
This quote is a powerful reminder that those in power often have a different set of rules than the rest of us. It is a warning against the dangers of allowing the government to break the law, even in times of emergency. When the government is allowed to break the law, it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the very foundation of our legal system. As Ayn Rand wrote in *Atlas Shrugged*, "When people accept breaking the law as normal, something happens to the whole society".
The quote also highlights the importance of holding our leaders accountable. The people who make the laws should not be above the law. They should be subject to the same rules and regulations as everyone else. This ensures that the laws are fair and just for all, and it prevents the government from abusing its power.
However, it is important to recognise that the government that is in power is very rarely the same government that enacted all of the laws. Most constitutions are hundreds of years old, and the laws have been shaped by many different administrations. This does not excuse law-breaking by those in power, but it is a reminder that the law is not static and can be changed to reflect the values and needs of society.
Ultimately, the quote serves as a call to action for citizens to remain vigilant and hold their leaders to account. It is a reminder that we cannot rely on those in power to always act in our best interests. By demanding accountability and transparency from our leaders, we can help ensure that the law is upheld and that justice is served.
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Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws
The issue becomes even more complex when considering that the government in power is rarely the same government that enacted the laws, as most constitutions are hundreds of years old. This means that the government can essentially define what the law is and use its power to crack down on criminals, creating more laws and declaring more things as crimes, making it impossible for people to live without breaking laws.
Good people, who act responsibly without the need for laws, are then caught in a web of criminality, while bad people find loopholes and ways around the laws to continue acting irresponsibly. This normalises law-breaking and has a detrimental effect on society as a whole.
It is important to recognise that far more violence has been done in obeying the law than in breaking it. When the government breaks the law, it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the very laws it is supposed to uphold. This quote highlights the need for accountability and checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power and ensure that governments act responsibly, even during emergencies.
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Far more violence has been done in obeying the law than in breaking the law
> Far more violence has been done in obeying the law than in breaking the law.
This quote from Ayn Rand's *Atlas Shrugged* is a powerful statement on the nature of law and order. It suggests that when a government is allowed to break the law, it will create an emergency to justify its actions. This is a dangerous precedent, as it sets the stage for the government to act with impunity and without regard for the rule of law.
The quote highlights the importance of holding those in power accountable and ensuring that laws are applied fairly and justly. When a government is allowed to operate above the law, it erodes the very foundation of democracy and the social contract between the state and its citizens.
Ayn Rand's quote also draws attention to the potential for abuse of power. By declaring numerous actions as criminal offences, a government can effectively criminalise its citizens and exert control over them. This dynamic can lead to a society where law-abiding citizens are inadvertently complicit in acts of violence and oppression.
Furthermore, the quote underscores the notion that laws are meant to serve the people, not the other way around. When a government breaks the law, it undermines the very principles of justice and equality that the laws are supposed to uphold. In such a scenario, the rule of law becomes a tool for those in power to maintain control, rather than a safeguard for the rights and freedoms of the people.
Ultimately, the quote serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when those in power are allowed to operate without checks and balances. It is a call to action for citizens to remain vigilant and hold their leaders accountable, ensuring that the laws of the land are applied equally to all and that the government serves the interests of the people, not its own self-interest.
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Frequently asked questions
"A government that is allowed to break the law during an emergency will create an emergency to break the law".
"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".
"When people accept breaking the law as normal, something happens to the whole society".
"Since the government has control over the laws, they literally define what the law is".
