The staggering number of laws that govern our society.

bobcat

bobcat

Well-known Member
Location
Northern Calif
From what I read, there are around 23,000 pages of Federal laws, and those don't even include "Case Laws" which are precedents established in courts. To add to that are the state laws which can govern employment, health, civil rights, consumer protection, conservation, business, marriage and divorce, copywrite, property, and on and on.

It's no wonder we need attorneys to navigate the ocean of laws. They say ignorance of the law is no excuse. Perhaps it should be if you can't afford an attorney.
 

It only bothers me when all of those obscure laws are dragged out to ‘throw the book’ at someone or make an example of them for some reason.

“There are just two rules of governance in a free society: Mind your own business. Keep your hands to yourself.” - P.J. O’Rourke
 

Who_so_ever said:
If we could manage to follow the 10 laws aka commandments, there would be no need for any others.......
Click to expand...
Perhaps true, but I think there were hundreds of laws in the Old Testament, but I have no idea how many.
However, now we have about 600 Federal laws passed each year. Does that scare anyone as to where it may be heading.
 
Aunt Bea said:
It only bothers me when all of those obscure laws are dragged out to ‘throw the book’ at someone or make an example of them for some reason.

“There are just two rules of governance in a free society: Mind your own business. Keep your hands to yourself.” - P.J. O’Rourke
Click to expand...
Ha ha. I am also reminded of what Tacitus said: “The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates.”
Perhaps that's something worth pondering.
 
Ignorance of the law is no excuse" means that even if someone doesn't know a law exists, they are still responsible for violating it.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
The Official Rulebook of U.S. Baseball has 161 pages of rules. Even though it's a game, stuff happens, and there are rules needed to cover that. We live in a much more complex society, with millions of people. We need rules to regulate our lives.
Click to expand...
I think too that every technological development in society requires new laws to govern it's use, as we saw with the internet, cloning, and now with AI and robotics (Including autonomous vehicles and drones).
 
Seems like we are always trying to find a balance between maintaining some sort of freedom, and too many restrictions and regulations that stifle a society. I remember in the past, if you wanted to build a house, you could pretty much build it however you wanted, and if someone wanted to buy it the way you built it, then it was up to them.

Nowadays, there are an incredible host of rules to build one, and if you haven't sold one in the last 20 years, brace yourself if you need to do so. It is mind numbing.
 
Saw a piece on driving Mileage Taxes in California. State, local, and HOA level taxes - supposedly marked for roads and such, and on top of the fuel taxes that EV drivers already skirt.

Will it happen? Probably, sooner or later. Measured by remotely-read electronic metering in each car?
 
Would you break the law if the law was unjustified? What about early laws of racism and segregation? Brings me to the point of doing what’s right even if the world is against you?
 
Mr. Ed said:
Would you break the law if the law was unjustified? What about early laws of racism and segregation? Brings me to the point of doing what’s right even if the world is against you?
Click to expand...
I think if I felt a law was unjust, then yes, I would probably break it, as long as I was relatively sure I wouldn't get caught.
I think doing the right thing is never the wrong thing, even if the law says it is.
 
I think most laws are well intended, but the chevron doctrine... threw the interpretation of laws into the hands of the executive branch, or in other words, the bureaucracy. Thankfully, the Supreme Court shredded that doctrine, which was established 40 years ago. Laws need to be written without ambiguity, therefore straightforward and little interpretation needed. That's my 2¢ on the matter.
 
bobcat said:
From what I read, there are around 23,000 pages of Federal laws, and those don't even include "Case Laws" which are precedents established in courts. To add to that are the state laws which can govern employment, health, civil rights, consumer protection, conservation, business, marriage and divorce, copywrite, property, and on and on.

It's no wonder we need attorneys to navigate the ocean of laws. They say ignorance of the law is no excuse. Perhaps it should be if you can't afford an attorney.
Click to expand...

You know, you wouldn't need so many laws if common sense were common. So many laws define the obvious. Take, for example, drink driving. Why do we need a law for that? Isn't it obvious?!? Murder. Theft. We need so many laws because so many of us don't want to do the just unless we're forced.
 
bobcat said:
Seems like we are always trying to find a balance between maintaining some sort of freedom, and too many restrictions and regulations that stifle a society.
Click to expand...
yes that is the dilemma - finding the right balance.

I think being excused for ignorance of the law would depend o n the context - nobody obviously knows all the laws - but it is my job to find out if it is relevant to me.

Not wearing a bike helmet and then pleading I didnt know it was a legal requirement - not likely to get away with that, is something it is reasonably expected everyone knows and if I buy a bike it is my job t o check.

Not knowing there was a council by law that bikes couldn't be ridden on the beach path after 6pm and there was no sign t o that effect (made up example) - You would expect a warning would be sufficient.
 
VaughanJB said:
You know, you wouldn't need so many laws if common sense were common. So many laws define the obvious. Take, for example, drink driving. Why do we need a law for that? Isn't it obvious?!? Murder. Theft. We need so many laws because so many of us don't want to do the just unless we're forced.
Click to expand...
There is also every state's view on what is legal, and you could go to jail or prison for. Over half the states have adopted a "Stand your ground" law where if you feel you are in imminent danger or threatened, you can use deadly force. In other states, that could land you in prison.

Then there are controlled substances. About half the states have legalized the use of recreational marijuana. The others really don't see much difference between it and alcohol, as both will get you buzzed, and in some states the ounces you can have on hand or purchase varies.

Then there is gambling. It is illegal in some states, but in those states it's OK to play the lottery. How is that not gambling? Then there are differences between state laws on gay marriage.

Then there are all the fishing regulations that can make your mind explode. You are allowed so many of a specific variety from the confluence of this stream to another stream and they must measure so many inches, and you may need to use a barbless hook, and what the hell do you do if you are using a barbless hook because it is catch-and-release, and the fish swallows the hook, and by the time you get it dislodged, the fish is dead? Then there are stipulations on how many hooks an artificial lure can have, or if it's a live bait, is it an approved one. Good grief, it is nuts.
 
I had a friend that I played golf with occasionally. One day he hit a long drive that had a nasty hook to the left. Unfortunately, there was a road that bordered the golf course, and a woman was walking on that road. The ball hit her in the head and knocked her to the ground. He did the right thing and went to help her, but he was terrified for the next few months that he could end up losing his house and life savings.

She never sued him, but she certainly could have. She had every right to be on that public road, and he did inflict bodily harm. He was extremely careful after that to watch for pedestrians. I have been hit on the golf course by wayward balls, and I guess it's just a risk you take by being there. But since there are no warning signs on the road, I would think a person would have legal protection.

I think some states probably have strict laws if your dog bites someone (Which could leave a scar for life), and in other states, you must prove negligence. If you knew your dog was dangerous, and it can be proven, then you can be held liable for criminal penalties. In other states, it doesn't matter. If your dog bites someone, even if it's the first time, the damage to the victim is done.
 
Who_so_ever said:
And that is what Christians face. :)
Click to expand...
Oh come on now, everyone is entitled to their opinion yours just happens to be obsessive.
On a positive note you can say the same about my posts.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top