Laws Should Reflect the Moral Values of Society

 As a people we should have certain laws and values (and symbols) that tie us together and sow the seeds that allow us to create shared roots of culture. Sometimes laws are designed to help and other times they are designed to distort (Yes its possible to have both). At the essence of all laws should be values and those values are where our money and laws should be focused. 

Values can be very subjective based on who you are talking with. Some feel that while individual cultural values are different that we as a people have shared values that bind us togethers. Others feel that values are all about what they can get out of any situation and laws are just meaningless tools (Some judges may even feel that way from time to time.). At the end of the day we must decide what the essential purpose of our laws are and whether or not they are going to reflect our shared values. 

I used to be an idealist who believed that most people are hoping to do the right thing and create a sense of community and fair play. Over the years I have learned that while this is an ideal we hold in society many people are not willing to sacrifice or give up anything important for those values.  Much of it is just lip service and we run the risk that our values decline (whatever those values are.). Putting our money and values there is difficult at best.

When we are not willing to stand by some shared principles we may find that laws are more of a game of manipulation than actual truth and moral conscious (Watch some court cases and you will see.). On technicalities some walk from major crimes and others blatantly play games with the law; much is dependent on social connection and deeper pockets as they relate to the quality of lawyer (Sometimes justice occurs but it is more likely on the 60-70% range and can be volatile. Feedback is something that seems to struggle finding receptive ear.). 

Here is where we have a problem and its one we just simmer in the background on a low boil. When we do not share certain values and principles and the law looks more like a game of checkers than an actual societal problem solving tool we have big problems brewing under the surface. This is where judges as a judicial branch must sole search and ensure that all laws are applied in a way that support underlining moral codes (They have a huge responsibility to judge based on the needs of all the people.). 

These unwritten and written values come to define us. Integrity in the law is important and people trust that the law is designed around certain shared values. Most judges are doing the right thing and of course they deal with fancy suit wearing attorneys (nothing wrong with a fashionable suit) that seeks to use the law like a chess game for self-enrichment (except civil rights lawyers that are like social workers.). We should think about returning to some of our founding principles that ensure that our laws have underlining values that support the development of a moral and just society (However, we define it.).