Upending the Rule of Law

August 11, 2002

by Christopher G. Adamo

If a society, which has been accustomed to freedom, is to be forcibly conformed into the desired image of its self-appointed ruling class, certain of its characteristics must be fundamentally altered. Chief among these is the concept of the rule of law. In a truly free society, the law is intended to serve as a common boundary, within which all citizens can pursue their dreams and live out their lives as they see fit. In a totalitarian society however, the law serves as a tool of the state, invoked selectively in order to mold the masses into conformity with the philosophies of those in power.

It is inarguable that America was founded on the premises of the former. Sadly though, it is rapidly taking on the characteristics of the latter. Several prominent legal situations of this past week stand as undeniable proof.

No one should forget the supposed premises under which campaign finance “reform” legislation was recently enacted. According to its proponents, such “reform” was necessary, owing to the corrupting influence of money on America’s politicians. In reality though, little or no attention was given to making office holders accountable. Instead, onerous restrictions were inflicted on the citizenry, some in direct conflict to the constitutional protection of free speech.

If anyone still believes this law was ever intended to clean up politics, consider the Senate’s reaction to blatantly corrupt behavior on the part of New Jersey Senator Robert Torricelli. Having accepted numerous expensive “gifts” from supporter David Chang (nowhere on any of the nightly news broadcasts was the word “bribery” ever invoked), Torricelli nonetheless received a virtual slap on the wrist from his Senate colleagues. Meanwhile, Chang is serving a jail sentence for his actions.

So, if illegally bestowing gifts on a politician is deemed a criminal act, why isn’t the acceptance of those gifts treated as its equally felonious counterpart? The simple answer is that, in the same manner that gun-control legislation was never really supposed to reduce crime (a preponderance of highly credible studies prove that it has no such effect), campaign finance “reform” legislation was not implemented as a means of ridding the political landscape of corruption. Rather, both measures seek to control and direct the behavior of the masses, and are merely promoted under a veneer of law and order to make them more palatable to the general public. It was merely an unfortunate misstep on Torricelli’s part which brought the focus onto his own reprehensible behavior, thus necessitating some token response from the equally disreputable Democratic Senate leadership in order for them to continue their assertion of occupying the moral high ground.

Meanwhile, over in the other chamber, U.S. Representative James Traficant of Ohio was summarily ejected from that body for actions which bear a disturbing similarity to the malfeasance of Senator Torricelli. But while certain members of the Congress may truly recoil at Traficant’s misdeeds, many among his fellow Democrats have long been at odds with him, particularly over his boldness in attacking the rampant liberalism of his own party. Furthermore, his dismissal will in no way shift the balance of power in the House, in contrast to the possible shift of Senate control which might ensue if Torricelli’s seat somehow reverts to Republican hands. Therefore, it can be concluded that any efforts to clean up politics in the U.S. Senate have been completely subordinated to Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle’s quest to retain power.

At the same time, and in direct contradiction to the real purpose of the establishment clause (which was intended to prohibit the government from imposing a belief system on its subjects), the Superior Court of San Francisco has ruled that its members are forbidden from affiliation with the Boy Scouts, owing to that organization’s opposition to homosexuals in its leadership. (No doubt that court maintains no similar ruling against child-molesting Catholic priests.) It is significant that this latest outrage emanated from the vicinity of the Ninth Circuit Court, which recently committed its own abomination of the Constitution, banning the Pledge of Allegiance on account of its mention of God.

A clear and consistent pattern exists here. Laws and regulations are being implemented and selectively enforced, not as a means of protecting persons or property against harm, but solely in deference to authoritarian elitists on the left. Such a trend constitutes an assault on the very fabric of America that, for the sake of the country, must be confronted and rebuffed.

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Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer who lives in southeastern Wyoming with his wife and sons. He has been involved in grassroots political activity for many years. Chris was the editor of the Wyoming Christian from 1994 to 1996, and his columns can also been seen at CheyenneNetwork.com.

Send the author an E mail at Adamo@ConservativeTruth.org.

For more of Christopher's articles, visit his archives.