Opus 2014-229: Rule of Law

The point of the rule of law is that the rules are the same for everyone.  There are no kings who can ignore the law.  Even some ancient cultures recognized this.

Our modern thinking is making a joke of this.  One example, the graduated income tax.

The Bible has a simple tithe required and gifts beyond that.

The reason the rule of law breaks down is because most people are willing to make exceptions to the rules for themselves.  Any rules.  This is what tyranny is all about.  It is why history is full of autocracy and oligarchy.  It is why history is full of poor people exploiting poor people.  It is why we have crony capitalism.  The Friedmans put it well.

“We rail against ‘special interests’ except when the ‘special interest’ happens to be our own.” page 38

If we ever achieve the rule of law it will be because we get serious about the Biblical mandate to do that which is better for the other person rather than what benefits us.

(Philippians 2:3-5 NAS77)  “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,...”

Until that day, watch your back, balance your checking account and change your passwords.

Friedman, Milton and Rose.  Free to Choose.  New York:  Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1980.

homo unius libri