Can We Be A Community of Laws?

Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac

    Just before the last elections, it was reported in the press that none of the senatorial candidates had filed the required reports to the Board of Elections. Sounds familiar? Well it is. Too often, we witness incidences of dereliction of duty by entities and individuals charged with enforcing our laws. In this particular case, it is the Board of Elections and the Dept. of Justice. Do they really understand their statutory duties? Are they serious about their fiduciary duties?

Not too long ago there was another board that was derelict in carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities; I am referring to the Roy L. Schneider Regional Medical Center Board of Directors. I believe the Board of Elections and the Attorney General Office will be just as derelict if they fail to take legal actions against all those who fail to comply with our elections laws or those who violates the elections laws.

    Many in this community have become extremely liberal when it comes to law enforcement. Many even justify some illegal activities, others encourage others and some themselves are involved in illegal activities. What is more troubling is the fact that many of us know who are involved in illegal activities and we appoint and/or elect them to public offices.  It should not be any surprises that our juveniles are confused and so many are involved in illegal activities, criminal activities. Is it not the heights of hypocrisy to be surprise that our children are involve in criminal activities when adults around them blatantly violate our laws? There are adults involve in the use and traffic of illegal drugs. There are adults who violate on a regular basis all kinds of laws, such as traffic laws, tax laws, health laws, sanitation laws and other regulations.  Where are our moral values, are they still relevant?   If we really want the respect of others, we have to earn it.

    Do we want to be a part of a law-abiding community or a lawless community? Do we take pride in ourselves and in our community?  Do we respect our community and ourselves? Are we a Christian community or a pagan community? Do we subscribe to the universal moral code? How do we expect our community to be respected when we do not respect our community, our own laws? As a society, how are we rated, as a civilized society or a backward society? We elect and/or appoint people without regard to their lack of integrity, or their reputation as being involved in illegal and other anti-social behavior. In a democratic form of government, the people elect people that represent not only their political agenda but also their core values. Is it our belief that we cannot find candidates with better than average standard? Do we really believe that we do not deserve a higher standard of representation? It all reflects on us the citizens. We need to be the change we want to see, check your mirror and question the person you see therein.

    Many of us shy away from addressing the use of illegal drugs in our community. It is said or written: “There is nothing worse in a society than when decent, law abiding citizens fail to address criminality, the evils in society”. I was of course paraphrasing. So where do you stand or sit on the issues of rampant crime and immorality in our community? Do not stand nor sit on the fence, you become a target from both sides of the fence. Life is about choices, we must choose which side of the fence we want to be. Do we want to align ourselves with those that promote law and order, decency over indecency, would you choose righteousness or evil? That is what it comes down to, good or evil.  As it is written: “You must choose this day who you will serve, Go(o)d or  (D)evil”. I am paraphrasing again.  I would recommend that we start cleaning up our government by requiring random drug test in all three branches of government. That all public officials, particularly those in upper management and those in elected positions and board members of government agencies, should be required to submit a letter from IRB verifying that they are in compliance with the law. That would be the beginning of cleaning up our government.

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