Letter: Above the law, or not?

Posted 9/22/22

A few thoughts from an old man who once believed that justice should be equally applied and that no one is above the law. 

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Letter: Above the law, or not?

Posted

A few thoughts from an old man who once believed that justice should be equally applied and that no one is above the law. 

How can a person who incites a riot and violence at our nation’s capital be immune from liability under the law and yet if I pass a stop sign on a road I am liable for a legal sanction?

How can a person who steals and stores documents which involve the security of this country escape liability, and yet if I falsely report my taxable income, I am liable under the law with sanctions?

How can a person sexually harass numerous persons but then pay them to remain silent, and yet my life as a teacher would have been endangered with any accusation of harassment?

How can a person lie about the past presidential election results without any evidence and yet if I lie about my residence or citizenship when I vote I face serious legal liability?

How can a person separate children from their parents and allow the children to be put in cages and yet if I neglected my children I would face severe sanctions under the law?

The sanctions which were applicable to me I do not question, but what about the more serious violations of human decency? Shouldn’t they also be subject to liability and sanctions?

Justice has already been a challenge when wealth and prestige create legal immunity but the last few years have made the issue much greater with a former president who not only is violating law and ethical considerations but brags about it. How sad it is that the same man has appointed judges - to the Supreme Court and to lower federal courts- who then use the interpretations of the law to enable him. 

Philip McGovern

Oreland, PA