Many people rightfully think it is not. And I do understand why, and I generally do agree to the point of view that people should accept the consequences of their deeds (or misdeeds, for that matter). If we had God given laws, I would absolutely agree with this in the case of traffic tickets, too.
Problem is, our laws are written by people, and people are not perfect and have their own agenda. Worth, different countries have different laws, and what is considered unlawful in one of them, could be perfectly OK in another. This makes me thinking that law is not an absolute moral category.
For example, perfectly moral and law abiding German citizen can drive 100 mph on a highway. If American citizen does the same thing, he is considered a criminal. Are people that different in Germany and America? I don’t think so. I don’t think the person is a criminal if he/she drives above speed limit – millions do this on a regular basis, and almost everybody – at least several times during their lives. I couldn’t say the same about theft, for example.
If so many people break the law, law is bad, not people, no matter what government says about it. On the other hand, American speed limit laws are a significant source of income for the governments on all levels. Some small towns along interstates just plain live out of speeding tickets! For them this is not a question of law, this is a question of income, which effectively removes traffic laws out of moral considerations. This became a game of hide-n-seek that drivers play with authorities and, as such, does not entitle any of the parties to a moral superiority.
That’s why I do not consider immoral an attempt to get out of traffic ticket, or at least to reduce the consequences.
August 6, 2008 at 5:28 am |
I understand and agree with your assessment of laws that are not from God, as not necessarily being and having to do with moral law. But, there are laws instituted for man, by man, that are meant in general to protect the masses — although not perfect by any means.
According to the laws of the land, in which you find yourself — you become subject. That is law and how we govern any community or country, etc… Citizenship requires that we are accountable to these types of laws — or else.
So, if I decide to speed on the highway and get caught and ticketed – I am bound to have moral integrity and accept the consequences of my choice to break the laws of that land.
Come on… I don’t like certain laws either, which have nothing to do with the laws of God. But – I do have integrity and will be accountable for my actions and the consequences that they may inflict upon me! LOL
tDMg
LdsNana
August 6, 2008 at 12:20 pm |
Come on Kathryn,
I am not talking about not being accountable or not accepting the consequences. It is fine, I always do, up to the point that I was twice in jail for speeding in that country and don’t really see any problem with that. What I am trying to say – you don’t have to give up and just pay the fine – fight for you rights and wallet, it has nothing to do with moral.
People behave like flock of sheep – they get speeding tickets and rush to internet trying to find a way to pay fine online. The more of them start thinking and opposing this idiotic legislation, the sooner it will be changed, and our pockets become fuller and roads safer!
I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment here, it was a nice surprise
August 6, 2008 at 8:34 pm |
I guess I ride the fence! I agree with taking the punishment you deserve for doing wrong, but on the other side…I agree that here it has to do with money in the pocket of our government, which is too full to begin with.
We keep rewarding the rich with less tax and punishing the middle class with more tax. On top of that NYS has about the highest tax rate in the country, sales tax too…And we are about the saddest state in the union!
Sorry, got off on a tangent there. Anyways, I would definitely fight a speeding ticket, and have. No sense in paying the government more than I have to!