Here is a question I'd like you all to answer at some point in the first week of class:
Why obey?
Or more specifically, why do you think we should obey our government and our laws?
A second question: Under what circumstances should we not obey our government?
Please post your answers in comments below on Monday or Tuesday. I'm not looking for brilliance here, but more for your gut responses to this question, and an effort at providing the reasons you answer the way you do.
(Technical note: to post, just click on '0 (or some other number) comments' just below the post. If you don't have an account with blogger, you don't need one to post. Under choose and identity select "anonymous." This doesn't actually mean you have to be anonymous, just sign your name at the end of your comment. If the commenting features don't seem to be working, send me an email.)
posted by David Watkins @ 9:30 AM
9 Comments:
Maggie Kudryn
#0434996
1) There are a few reasons why we should obey our government and our laws. The fist is evident: we kind of have to if we don't want to be penalized. If we break the law, there are always negative consequences, and if we choose not to suffer those consequences, then we obey what the government and the laws tell us what or what not to do. One simple example is going over the assigned speed limit. If we get caught, we get a ticket that we have to pay for which can be very unpleasant at times (depending on the amount).
2) Sometimes there are exceptions in breaking the law and not obeying our government. These circumstances could be: not agreeing with a certain issue (protests), going over the speed limit in case of an emergency, under-age drinking (not supposed to if under 21 but mostly all college students do it), etc. There are probably many more, but just can't think of them at the moment.
Maggie Kudryn
#0434996
1) There are a few reasons why we should obey our government and our laws. The fist is evident: we kind of have to if we don't want to be penalized. If we break the law, there are always negative consequences, and if we choose not to suffer those consequences, then we obey what the government and the laws tell us what or what not to do. One simple example is going over the assigned speed limit. If we get caught, we get a ticket that we have to pay for which can be very unpleasant at times (depending on the amount).
2) Sometimes there are exceptions in breaking the law and not obeying our government. These circumstances could be: not agreeing with a certain issue (protests), going over the speed limit in case of an emergency, under-age drinking (not supposed to if under 21 but mostly all college students do it), etc. There are probably many more, but just can't think of them at the moment.
Michelle
#0429914
1) I think that we should obey our government and our laws because I feel that we have laws and a government in order to sustain order. We need laws and "regulations" to keep everyone in order. If we all didn't abide by the same set of laws under the same government I see there being a state of somewhat madness.
2) I guess most people choose not to abide by laws when they disagree with them. People who disagree strongly with the laws will often deliberately go against them, sometimes boycotting or protesting.
1)Although governments can have the effect of generalizing law to a diverse public with a variety of situations and needs, it is necessary to have some ultimate law to maintain order. People have to be kept in line according to what is widely determined as "right" and "wrong" to maintain safer communities.
2) Sometimes goverments can be fasioned after one person's "right and wrong" which are negative to the communities. It is hard to determine when to protest the government- is the individual right or the government right? However there are times when the public's general consensus is that the government isn't catering to the benefit of the people and disobeyment is necessary. In these cases there is a difference between a teenager thinking speed limits are stupid to disobeying a dictator. Also, since the law cannot be specialized to certain situations, there are times when disobeying the government would seem necessary (like someone said above- speeding in an emergency)
Kaitlyn Pouley
1) We should obey our government and our laws because they are just that, OURS. We live in a country with a republic form of government and the basic definition of a republic is a form of democracy in which power is vested in elected representatives. Therefore as citizens we need to respect the decisions of those we put into office. If we do not, then we are undermining the democratic system.
2) On that note I do not think there is an appropriate time to not obey our government or our laws. We must hold faith that if we are unhappy with the way things are done, then we must use the system to change it. Whether that is voting, writing your local officials, or forming a petition for other citizens to sign. The key thing is that we are all citizens and have the ability to act if we chose to.
Mandy S.
I think we should obey the government/laws because it gives us a sense of order and harmony. People also obey the government because they are scared of the government. The government can give us rights and within seconds swoop down and take it away from us. There are tons of reasons why we shouldn't obey the government, but I have to go because my battery is low and I'm going to get cut off soon. bye
I think that we should obey our government and the laws because without a government and laws our society will be corrupted. Laws are there to protect us with our rights. All in all the law is there to keep us in check from doing the things we shouldn't be involve in.
We should not obey our government if we are being violated of any of rights. And I guess that goes with not agreeing with what the government decisions on certain things that prevent us from getting the rights that we deserve I guess that's when we should not obey the governement.
Anthony "Tony" Macasieb
1. We should obey our government because they set up the laws in order to keep stability and order in society. Also, if you defy them, they can punish you in many ways from fines to jailing.
2. We should not obey our government when the orders they give us intrude upon the basic human rights of a free society, like the right to live or the right to express ourselves.
An orderly and progressing society is dependent on all citizens obeying the same laws. Much like the old "do onto others as you wish to be treated" quote. One citizen can not expect to abuse one right toward another and not expect the same to happen toward them. The rule of law must be observed as to preserve the envisioned democratic society. Everyone should comply to maintain equality ideals.
However, without strong voice, the idea of change will never be introduced. Therefore, citizens must voice personal opinion and not simply conform to existing belief systems. This introduces instances when disobedience toward law is legitimate. Take for example racism, and feminism movements. Consider these movements and how they would exist today without levels of disagreement with existing laws and the government. Obviously, narrowed for example, race and gender should be indifference to the rights a citizen should have. Existing laws had to be broken in order to progress toward a better society. From a narrower perspective, self defense could be illustrative as not obeying the law and government. Killing is a large crime, but if it is in honest self defense it is justifiable. Once again, this is an example of an excepted defiance of the law and government.
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