Michigan legislative action thread
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse”. Without that rule, ANYONE who commits a crime can just say, “I didn’t know...” And get off scott-free.
Crimes should be obvious and not obscure.
“I forgot armed robbery was illegal”
Steve Martin
I think a major problem is that there are so many darn laws... chances are we break one/more each day. I agree with Cripplecreek... laws should be obvious.
This law strikes at the heart of the proliferating “self-funded” government entities. They get their operating capital by creating mountains of conflicting regulations, some of which you can go to prison for violating. They send out an army of inspectors who can issue fines and even arrest you.
My county and city both established their own self-funded EPAs. They created regulations so inclusive that the ordinary person is often unknowingly in violation and potentially subject to fine. Once you get arrested the entire bloated bureaucracy starts feeding off your body, or, you rot in jail.
Do it right, once. Place a sunset clause of 20 years over all existing laws. If law is not reenacted within that time, it’s history. And with it, all regulations and incarcerations based on that law.
The 20 years is the approximate term of a generation. This lets each generation determine the laws they want applied to them.
There are 2 solutions to this problem of thousands of laws being on the books, most of which NO ONE could be aware of:
1) Put automatic sunset clauses in ALL laws (yes, even for murder, rape, etc.). Require that each one be voted on SEPARATELY to be renewed. The sensible ones will be, the other ones - not so much.
2) Start arresting judges and state legislators for violations of these ridiculous laws...you’ll see action so fast that it’ll make your head spin.
Yeah, like I said, I don’t expect either solution to be implemented...but in my fantasy world, both would be and it would vastly simplify our system of laws and provide for more efficient and effective justice.
I don’t believe this will happen.
Too large of a revenue stream to just let it go, they have a taste of that sugar and won’t give it up without a fight.
Just like traffic cameras, once the money starts rolling in no amount of fuss will get them removed.
Just hand everyone a book with all the laws!
“a law that says colored chicks and rabbits can’t be sold”
So do they have to use separate facilities and schools too?
Yes, that is where they should be going.
The law makes distinctions that some people don't really understand:
There is the intent to break a law;
There is the intent to commit an act which is unlawful;
There is the commission of a volitional act which is subsequently determined to recklessly endanger or injure others.
What should be done in the real world? What should be the result in the case of a 22 year old man who has sex with a 15 year old girl if everyone agrees that the 15 year old girl told the man that she was 18 (above the legal age for consent) and everyone agrees that he believed her? He didn't intend to break the law, but he did intend to commit an act which is in fact unlawful. What should be the result? Should the priority be to protect the child or the man's liberty?
Ya think????
"“Do you really think we want those laws observed?" Said Dr. Ferris. We want them broken. You better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know 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. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, Part 2, Chapter 3, Page 404
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
If so, then the statists can pass laws and fill the jail cells and turn the populace into submissive baaing sheep. As they are already doing.
Makes sense. ‘Mens Rea’ is the principle here, and it means “the guilty mind’. It is a legal principle stated thus: “Mens rea is a legal phrase used to describe the mental state a person must be in while committing a crime for it to be intentional. It can refer to a general intent to break the law or a specific, premeditated plan to commit a particular offense.”
Muslims will take advantage of this.