It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error.”
Robert H. Jackson quotes
This is just a quick post to get the juices flowing, as the snow has finally arrived and I need prepare for a week away on the mountain.
As I grow my awareness of the true power of the individual, and the reciprocal/spiritual responsibilities of the gift of consciousness, it seems to me that as well as manifesting and co-creating by free association , is not one also responsible to check any abuse of the fiduciary obligations inherent in a society of delegated responsibilities.
If the just purpose of organized government is to protect private rights, administer justice, provide for the common defense and facilitate commerce -
what are we to do when abuse of this public trust becomes endemic?
Justice Bandeis eloquently affirmed his condemnation of abuses practiced by Government
officials, who were defendants acting as government officials. In the case of OImstead vs. U.S.
277 US 438, 48 S. Ct564, 575; 72 L Ed 944 (1928) he declared:
"DECENCY, SECURITY, AND
LIBERTY ALIKE DEMAND THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SHALL BE SUBJECTED
TO THE SAME RULES OF CONDUCT THAT ARE COMMANDED TO THE CITIZEN IN A
GOVERNMENT OF LAWS, EXISTENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE IMPERILED IF
IT FAILS TO OBSERVE THE LAW SCRUPULOUSLY. OUR GOVERNMENT IS THE
POTENT, THE OMNIPRESENT TEACHER; FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL. IT TEACHES THE
WHOLE PEOPLE BY ITS EXAMPLE. CRIME IS CONTAGIOUS. IF THE GOVERNMENT BECOMES A LAW-BREAKER, IT BREEDS CONTEMPT FOR LAW; IT INVITES EVERY
MAN TO BECOME A LAW UNTO HIMSELF; IT INVITES ANARCHY. TO DECLARE THAT
IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEAN WOULD
BRING A TERRIBLE RETRIBUTION. AGAINST THAT PERNICIOUS DOCTRINE THIS
COURT SHOULD RESOLUTELY SET ITS FACE. "
Has anyone experiences to share on the use of a Private administrative process to enforce compliance with the duty of public service and holding elected officials and administrators to the high standard expected of them?
To Fear the LORD is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. {Prov 8:13}
