"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted--and you create a nation of law-breakers -- and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon; that's the game and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand: quote is from the conversation between Dr. Ferris of the State Science Institute and businessman Hank Reardon.
1 comment:
A very good example of politicians wanting the laws to be broken is Indira Gandhi raising the top rate to 97.5 per cent during the 70's in India.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/32687505.cms
The govt. of course knew that nobody could comply with such a ridiculous law. It spawned the much feared raid-raj. I remember the fear of tax-raids among the businessmen. People started joking that you are not successful enough if you have not been raided.
Everything was seized during these raids and to get the stuff back people had to pay big bribes-even if the goods were legit. The alternative was to wait till the time the case was heard by the courts and the final decision passed, which in India could (and still does) take 15-20 years.
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