Forum Post: Time for some People Power Law...

In his book "Code" (a worthwhile read) Law teacher Laurence Lessing writes "law is a command backed up by sanctions.." The principle is straight forward; a law says "if you do that, we then will do this." It helps if a sanctioned body with power like a government is the one that enacts a law, but that might not be essential.

Seems like politicians, corporate executives, and other "in power" type folks find little compulsion to abide by any laws these days. I suppose since they are the ones who enact laws the feel they can also exempt themselves from them? I think though the real reason they feel they do not need to abide by laws is that there is no one out there punishing them.

It would be something if some civic minded organization could find courage to levi some law, tort or otherwise, upon these power people who are really out of hand, i.e. bring them to justice. I doubt that will ever happen. Just wishful thinking on my part. Most civic organizations in the U.S.A. are too in bed with the power people, or at least too chicken to create some real action. They seem content with walking around in circles carrying signs in parks and other out of the way places. Meanwhile the politicians, and corporate executives laugh.

Maybe it's time for individual people to make some law with their own hand? It's easy! Just write the President, your representative in Congress, or a CEO that is pissing you off a letter saying "if you do , I will _." Fill in the blanks with your issue and make it your law. Ok, the power folks probably won't take your law seriously, but maybe they ought to. At least they'll get your message. Maybe if enough people write up enough like laws, some power people may then heed a little bit.