Why do people need laws?

[hannahfievel]

Okay, I know that may sound like a dumb question, but I had a long ride today..and was just thinking about "Just how many laws we all "have" to live by, and why are they needed"? Do those is power think we are stupid and cannot reason? Do they think kaos would break out if the rules were gone?

Really???...Is there anyone out there of "sound mind" that needs to be told what is right or wrong? Would anyone here drive on the wrong side of the road? Or just drive at a hundred miles an hour, in traffic? Or would anyone here just get up and physically abuse someone for the heck of it? We wouldn't would we...we have grown to know what is acceptable to others and have manners, right?

Okay, what if you, personally don't wish to wear a seat belt...just cuz you don't want to...why is it illegal for someone to choose which to do? Now...not talking about leaving babies out of car seats...I'm just talking about "yourself" and what "you" want to do....I guess I am wondering....WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO BE STUPID?...So long as YOU are not hurting anyone but yourself? I just was thinking about laws that are supposed to be for our own good...don't the lawmakers give us enough credit to decide these things for ourselves?

With that being said, isn't it possible that..."If everyone loved everyone else, without prejudice...Would we really need laws to tell us how to treat each other? Let's just say...I CERTAINLY PRAY WE COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT LAWS TELLING US TO BE NICE TO EACH OTHER...or do we? Hmmmm....

Be blessed, hannah

 

[Washington]

Okay, I know that may sound like a dumb question, but I had a long ride today..and was just thinking about "Just how many laws we all "have" to live by, and why are they needed"? Do those is power think we are stupid and cannot reason? Do they think kaos would break out if the rules were gone?

Really???...Is there anyone out there of "sound mind" that needs to be told what is right or wrong? Would anyone here drive on the wrong side of the road? Or just drive at a hundred miles an hour, in traffic? Or would anyone here just get up and physically abuse someone for the heck of it? We wouldn't would we...we have grown to know what is acceptable to others and have manners, right?

Okay, what if you, personally don't wish to wear a seat belt...just cuz you don't want to...why is it illegal for someone to choose which to do? Now...not talking about leaving babies out of car seats...I'm just talking about "yourself" and what "you" want to do....I guess I am wondering....WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO BE STUPID?...So long as YOU are not hurting anyone but yourself? I just was thinking about laws that are supposed to be for our own good...don't the lawmakers give us enough credit to decide these things for ourselves?

With that being said, isn't it possible that..."If everyone loved everyone else, without prejudice...Would we really need laws to tell us how to treat each other? Let's just say...I CERTAINLY PRAY WE COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT LAWS TELLING US TO BE NICE TO EACH OTHER...or do we? Hmmmm....

Be blessed, hannah

I think you should have given your first thought, "Okay, I know that may sound like a dumb question," more serious consideration before proceeding.

 

[flicka]

I've always believed that if everyone just had better manners we wouldn't need so many laws. I'm torn on the "personal responsibility" ones like seatbelts and helmet, etc. because I do think people need to be responsible for themselves and that includes being free to be stupid if it doesn't hurt anyone else.

 

[Aeris]

Although I think many laws are common sense, they are still needed because not everyone uses common sense consistantly, also the laws include punishments for certain things which (hopefully) deter people from doing things that are wrong, and if it doesnt deter people from doing it once (hopefully) they learn from their punishment and wont do it again.

 

[Q2004]

Nobody is an island. It costs the public if you have to be rushed to the emergency room after your unbelted form gets thrown from the car.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Okay, what if you, personally don't wish to wear a seat belt...just cuz you don't want to...why is it illegal for someone to choose which to do? ....I guess I am wondering....WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO BE STUPID?...So long as YOU are not hurting anyone but yourself?

One of the purposes of seat belts is to keep the driver firmly in their seat so they can maintain control of the vehicle in an emergency situation.

Sounds like you became uncomfortable on your long trip and blamed some of that discomfort on your seatbelt. Tsk, tsk.

 

[hannahfievel]

One of the purposes of seat belts is to keep the driver firmly in their seat so they can maintain control of the vehicle in an emergency situation.

Sounds like you became uncomfortable on your long trip and blamed some of that discomfort on your seatbelt. Tsk, tsk.

Okay, so maybe having a hurting broken rib with a seat belt on it...maybe the cause of my wondering. But, I still say...are we sooo dumb we "need" to be told...HOW to act and behave?

Now, we all know there are those who are mentally ill..I am "NOT" talking about the insane..I am talking about the average mannered human...OR are we just baboons that haven't learned not to throw...crap? Okay, so I am a fool...I figure "so what's new"? The whole world is going to hell in a handbag and no one seems to really care... Well, than me neither!

And, I guess I should give up trying to make sense of what is going on around us...along with the person here...that basically told me..."I AM DUMB" to ask a question...just thanks for the help there friend! You are too kind and made me feel so very loved and special...Thanks again! hannah

 

[wanderingone]

Because people are selfish little beings who resort to tribal us verses them, me vs. world mentalities without some guidance. (and even with them it's kind of hard to keep those under control)

As evidenced on these forums many of us like to believe we are immune from stupid decisions in our lives, and that we should pay extensively if we make those stupid decisions. Unfortunately a large number of stupid decisions take the rest of along for the ride.

 

[wanderingone]

Okay, so maybe having a hurting broken rib with a seat belt on it...maybe the cause of my wondering. But, I still say...are we sooo dumb we "need" to be told...HOW to act and behave?

No, we are not all so dumb, but different people are dumb about different things. People who are literally slower on comprehending safety issues for themselves and their children might need the help, and apparently putting kids in car seats is something many people resent as evidenced by the million spam messages wandering around the web about kids from the 50's, 60's and 70's who survived despite having lead paint on their cribs, and riding untethered in Uncle Bubba's pickup truck bed. Personally I think someone who ate a little too much lead paint off their crib as a kid is responsible for not comprehending the value of learning from our mistakes. Yes many of us survived these things, and of course those who didn't aren't around to laugh about the email.

We're paying the bill for a lot of people who didn't want to be bothered with simple safety precautions in their lives.... and sometimes paying the bill for the people around them.

Do we go over the top sometimes? Yup. Do good intentions in legal matters go awry? Yup. Fortunately the law isn't written in stone and even it was a heavy duty sander can wipe them out and start over.

 

[hannahfievel]

No, we are not all so dumb, but different people are dumb about different things. People who are literally slower on comprehending safety issues for themselves and their children might need the help, and apparently putting kids in car seats is something many people resent as evidenced by the million spam messages wandering around the web about kids from the 50's, 60's and 70's who survived despite having lead paint on their cribs, and riding untethered in Uncle Bubba's pickup truck bed. Personally I think someone who ate a little too much lead paint off their crib as a kid is responsible for not comprehending the value of learning from our mistakes. Yes many of us survived these things, and of course those who didn't aren't around to laugh about the email.

We're paying the bill for a lot of people who didn't want to be bothered with simple safety precautions in their lives.... and sometimes paying the bill for the people around them.

Do we go over the top sometimes? Yup. Do good intentions in legal matters go awry? Yup. Fortunately the law isn't written in stone and even it was a heavy duty sander can wipe them out and start over.

Hello and nice to meet you,

I tried to send you a pm...but you know with the CF forum acting up..I just thought I would thank you for a "thoughtful and brainy" answer! You have blessed me immensely and I thank you for taking...the CF time..to explain that I guess...basically alot of people are still crap slingers! So, I guess though some laws have gone a little over the top..for "of course our own safety" I guess there are some who need to be told "how to keep their kids safe" and the rest! Thank you for your patience with the forum to lend a kind word and a "liberal thought" AMEN! And... thanks again, hannah

 

[m9lc]

Okay, so maybe having a hurting broken rib with a seat belt on it...maybe the cause of my wondering. But, I still say...are we sooo dumb we "need" to be told...HOW to act and behave?

Yes.

Well, not "we" necessarily, but the people around us.

 

[hannahfievel]

Yes.

Well, not "we" necessarily, but the people around us.

I think for someone of your age...you are a genius!

And, I guess the "we" are those who live and love in HIM...for we should know how to act and behave and how to treat others! Sad state of affairs in this world..I pray daily..Lord please come quickly, amen! Thanks again, hannah

 

[quatona]

Okay, I know that may sound like a dumb question, but I had a long ride today..and was just thinking about "Just how many laws we all "have" to live by, and why are they needed"? Do those is power think we are stupid and cannot reason? Do they think kaos would break out if the rules were gone?

Really???...Is there anyone out there of "sound mind" that needs to be told what is right or wrong?

I think there are different sorts of rules - and determining a moral "right" or "wrong" is rarely their purpose, anyways. some are even douwnright arbitrary - just so there is something everybody knows everyone else relies on.

Would anyone here drive on the wrong side of the road?

Well, without there being such a law, nobody would know which the the right and which is the wrong side of the road, to begin with.

Or just drive at a hundred miles an hour, in traffic?

Yes, some do.

Or would anyone here just get up and physically abuse someone for the heck of it?

Probably not, and those who would are most likely not kept from it just because it´s illegal.

We wouldn't would we...we have grown to know what is acceptable to others and have manners, right?

I don´t know. Different cultures have different ideas as to what´s acceptable and what good manners are, and even individuals in one society have different opinions about that.

Okay, what if you, personally don't wish to wear a seat belt...just cuz you don't want to...why is it illegal for someone to choose which to do?

I guess because health care is payed by the community.

Now...not talking about leaving babies out of car seats...I'm just talking about "yourself" and what "you" want to do....I guess I am wondering....
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO BE STUPID?

"Choose to be stupid" doesn´t make sense.
Everyone still has the "right" to be stupid, and no matter what the laws, they can´t take away that "right".

...So long as YOU are not hurting anyone but yourself? I just was thinking about laws that are supposed to be for our own good...don't the lawmakers give us enough credit to decide these things for ourselves?

The question, however, is: How many of those laws are really about behaviours that merely affect ourselves?

With that being said, isn't it possible that..."If everyone loved everyone else, without prejudice...Would we really need laws to tell us how to treat each other?

Now you got me confused. Above you said you were thinking about laws that are supposed to but for our own good - now you talk about "how to treat each other".
So, which is it?

Well, if everyone loved everyone else (and everybody had the same idea of what "loving each other" means) we would need no rules that tell us how to treat each other.
I think this is a big "if", and your religion explicitly tells us that this is not so.