Redefined Criminal Behavior

Guest Column by Robert Solomon, Williamston, SC

     Government has taken it upon itself to redefine criminal behavior to include as criminal, behavior in which no crime is actually committed!
     You say, "No way, no how! Our government is just looking after us best they can!"
     Let me explain. Criminal law in this country was adopted from English common law which, of course, is predicated upon the Bible. Crime is defined as behavior that involves damage to person or property or the threat to do so. Probably cause (Constitutionally required) is determining that a person(s) has probably committed a crime by looking at the actual damage to persons or property and making a determination that the "suspect" evidently committed wrongful behavior (evidence). A crime also requires a victim. A victim is the person(s) against whom a wrongful act has been committed, evidenced by damage to person or property or threat thereto. The government is now saying that it can be the victim/the party harmed. The government is saying that it is the "will of the people" that persons be prosecuted as criminals even when there is not damage to persons or property! This is best illustrated by example.
     Local County Council (Anderson County) enacted a law, with criminal penalties, that anyone caught transporting uncovered trash was guilty of a crime. Sounds fine at first. After all, this law will decrease the amount of trash along our roadways. The only problem is that no crime has occurred! If trash blew out during transport, then the crime of littering has been committed. No one would argue against littering. But littering did not occur, only transporting without a cover. No victim, no one injured, no property damage. Just a violation of the order of the local authority! All hail the King!
     Let's consider other forms of governmental abuse of authority. How about traffic enforcement. Running a stop sign or speeding violations also fall into the category of criminal behavior where no crime is actually committed. Same conditions as previously cited, that is, no victim or damage to person or property. If the government wishes to charge a motorist with speeding as a contributing factor to an "accident" where damage to persons or property has occurred, that may be acceptable, but an "accident" involves no criminal motive! An "accident" involving a motor vehicle lacks criminal intent by definition. Consider the Second Amendment. Why has government taken it upon itself to criminalize a constitutionally legal activity by passing laws abridging a citizen's right to carry a firearm? If a firearm is used in conjunction with a bonafide criminal act, then sanctions would apply! Once again, no victim, no damage to person or property or threat thereto. Seat belt laws, hate crimes, consumer protection, the list goes on and on!
     You say to yourself, "This guy is nuts! The government is only trying to help us and preserve order in society." I do not see how the "general welfare" of our society is promoted by creating criminals where no crime has been committed. I do not see how we benefit by government extending itself beyond the authority granted by the Constitution. I do not understand how we are better off by allowing government to pick and choose what law they will obey and what law they will circumvent. But I do understand that government does not try and ram this sort of activity down your throat. Oh no, government is far too clever. This sort of treachery must be nicely packaged and must be presented to the dull mind as having merit! Therefore the people are duped by slick promotion. How many "causes" are presented to government that supposedly can be only solved by government? Under banners such as "Save the Environment", "Secure the Elderly", "Help the Children", "Protect the Consumer" does this sort of cancer creep into our lives.
     We are such fools! Only fools will believe anything they are told. Only fools rush in without considering the results of their actions. Foolish is the idea of a "living, breathing Constitution". Foolish is the idea that government cares for you and will only do what is best for you. Only fools base their opinions on their feelings. Only fools fail to roundly consider al the facts. Our Founding Fathers knew these things and put strict limits on governmental authority because they knew the human tendency for money and power and its corrupting influence!
     We, in our foolish "wisdom have gone astray and like sheep that have lost their way, will soon find the end of their folly!
     If you think this opinion has merit, contact your elected representatives and voice your concern today!