Morality Doesn’t Need a Stamp of Approval
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. “They call it illegal immigration for a reason. Keyword being ILLEGAL.” Then the conservative goes on to talk about how awful it is that workers from other countries disrespect our laws, and how it proves they are criminals at heart because of their complete disregard for our immigration law. (In another version of this argument, the conservative will say, “I’m not against immigration, I’m against ILLEGAL immigration.”)
What this line of argument is doing is equating legislation with virtue. The entire basis of this argument is that we need to follow the law no matter what. In the mind of the person making this argument, whatever the laws are, they are moral.
This means that it is immoral for me to pull a gun on my neighbor and force him to buy health insurance from me, not because it’s inherently wrong to pull guns on innocent people and force them to do anything, but because it is unlawful for me to do such a thing. However, when Nancy Pelosi pulls a gun on my neighbor and forces them to buy health insurance, that will be a moral act when Obama Care passes — because, after all, it will be the law.
Now I won’t even bring up slavery, fugitive slave laws, or Jim Crow laws because that’s just too easy. Instead, I’ll bring up instances where these same conservatives will not hide behind the law. Which is typical of conservatism — believe something when convenient only — not universally.
Gun control. Having laws restricting certain guns that look scary is moral right? I mean, they call them ILLEGAL firearms for a reason, keyword ILLEGAL. (Ever hear a leftist say, “I’m not against guns, I’m just against ILLEGAL guns.”)
Nanny state laws. Seat belt laws, helmet laws, smoking and drinking laws, and soon to be laws against fatty foods…. clearly not bending over for the nanny state is immoral. It’s the law!
Here’s one you’ll often hear from conservatives: when confronted with government controlled health care, you’ll often hear the conservative lament not being able to buy insurance across state lines. Just once I’d love to hear a leftist reply, “Well, buying insurance across state lines is illegal. The mere fact that you want to buy ILLEGAL insurance shows your disrespect for the law. You’re a criminal at heart.”
While we’re on the topic of health insurance, do you think the leftists in Canada regard their countryman as criminals for wanting to spend their money on illegal private health insurance? I wonder what they think of the folks who fly to the U.S. to get illegal treatment?
Truth is, morality is independent of whatever legislation is on the books. It doesn’t need Congress’ stamp of approval. An immoral act does not all of the sudden become moral when it becomes law. Nancy Pelosi has about as much right to force insurance on my neighbor as I do, regardless of the law. Does my wanting to be left alone from health insurance controls make me a criminal?
Lastly, when some version of Obama Care passes down the road, and it just so happens to contain a provision for tax-funded abortion, what will conservatives do? Did abortion become a moral act after Roe v. Wade? It’s called a LEGAL abortion for a reason. And when our tax money goes to fund them, too bad. It’s the law.
Originally Posted on November 16, 2009 on Justin Longo’s blog.
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