The Constitution of the United States [has] delegated to the Congress a power to punish treason, counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States, piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the laws of nations, and no other crimes whatever. --THOMAS JEFFERSON, THE KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS
America started out with three federal crimes: treason, counterfeiting, and piracy. In 1998, the American Bar Association counted more than 3,300 separate federal criminal offenses on the books, more than 40% of which had been enacted in just the past 30 years... Today, the Congressional Research Service says it no longer can even say how many federal crimes exist. Are we that much more evil than we were 200 years ago that we need this many laws to keep us off each other? Or has the nanny state veered completely out of control? --REBECCA HAGELIN
Completely pervert the original design and then complain the mechanism is faulty? No. Return to the original design and disband the FBI entirely.
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know that 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. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." -- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The agency? Perhaps as some shadow of its previous self.
ReplyDeleteTheir reputation? Glue a shattered Ming vase back together and you have a shattered Ming vase. IOW, not a chance.
Why bother?
ReplyDeleteThe Constitution of the United States [has] delegated to the Congress a power to punish treason, counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States, piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the laws of nations, and no other crimes whatever.
--THOMAS JEFFERSON, THE KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS
America started out with three federal crimes: treason, counterfeiting, and piracy. In 1998, the American Bar Association counted more than 3,300 separate federal criminal offenses on the books, more than 40% of which had been enacted in just the past 30 years... Today, the Congressional Research Service says it no longer can even say how many federal crimes exist. Are we that much more evil than we were 200 years ago that we need this many laws to keep us off each other? Or has the nanny state veered completely out of control?
--REBECCA HAGELIN
Completely pervert the original design and then complain the mechanism is faulty? No. Return to the original design and disband the FBI entirely.
Re Henry's comment above:
ReplyDelete"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know that 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. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." -- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand