The Rule of Law and Political Agenda

The Rule of Law is the idea that we have a government "of laws and not of men". It is the idea that our laws are written, not interpreted at whim by whomever holds power at any given time. The Rule of Law means that I, as an average citizen, can read the law and have confidence which side of the "bright line" of law I am on. Officials cannot simply grant me special favors if they like me, nor persecute me if they don't. They are powerless to harass or interfere with me if I stay within the clear bounds of law.

That, is the Rule of Law. All are bound by the law, and the law is clear and unambiguous.

That is not what we have. Worse, the public does not appear to understand what the Rule of Law is, or why it is so important.

This article in the Washington Post outlines an effort by the current administration to do exactly what the Rule of Law attempts to prevent, that is, harass and intimidate people engaged in completely legal activities that current officials do not like.

Some on the left appear to approve of this effort. They say that the businesses being targeted are undesirable, and should be harassed. Congress is "ineffective", and must be bypassed. The President, by executive action, should take action when Congress is deadlocked. I remind them that this is exactly what the Rule of Law is intended to restrain, and without restraint, it can be a tool every bit as tyrannical as it is useful. Bypassing the Rule of Law is playing with fire.

As with many of my posts here, I ask my readers to think about this, and to take a stand. The future of our Republic may depend on it.

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