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If law enforcement officers do not attempt to enforce the law, there will be no confrontations between law enforcement officers and the people who are violating the law. Violators of the law should then have no reason to violently resist or interfere with law enforcement. And thus (likely) no violence. For today, at least.
Apparently Bass is not thinking beyond first-order effects, which seems to be common among supporters of leftist causes.
First-order effect: Not enforcing the law eliminates immediate confrontations between law enforcement and law violators that might cause law violators to become violent.
But, then what? What are the second, third, and fourth-order effects when law enforcement does not enforce the law?
Unfamiliarity with logic, reason, and critical thinking is not exclusively a feature of the young, as discussed in the post "Hey! What About Logic and Reason? Didn't You Cover That" by @GodLovingWoman. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (who is well past college age) also seems unfamiliar with logic, reason, and critical thinking.
What will people do once they realize that the law is not being enforced?
Might the law violators get bolder in their violations of the law?
Might the law violators decide other laws need not be obeyed?
Do other people decide they don't need to obey laws with which they disagree, or that they don't like?
Do other people decide laws don't need to be obeyed in general?
Do people decide that certain categories of people who violate laws are privileged in their ability to choose which laws they violate?
So, yes, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is correct that if federal immigration authorities do not attempt to enforce federal immigration laws, there will likely be no violence today between those federal immigration authorities and people who violate, or support those who violate, federal immigration laws.
But then what will she say in a few weeks or months as reports of slavery and slave trafficking by the Mexican cartels and others increase? What does she tell the businesses with non-slave labor who compete with businesses that use slave labor? What does she say to the illegal immigrant slaves trapped in prostitution rings and sweatshop factories because the slave traders are able to operate with impunity?
What does she say to the public as more people die on the streets of Los Angeles from illegal drugs being brought in by the people violating immigration laws?
What does she say to homeowners, business owners, and residential tenants as burglary and home takeover robberies become more common?
Has Mayor Bass given any thought to the consequences of not enforcing the law?
We've seen in several cities over several years what happens when law enforcement (including the prosecuting attorneys) don't enforce laws against theft from retail stores, or laws against vagrants blocking roadways and sidewalks.
As a side note, in general people of "the left" demand more laws to govern the everyday lives of people, to push people to behave in ways considered good or desirable by the left. But then they insist that existing laws not be enforced. What is the point of enacting more laws if laws are not to be enforced? (I know, expecting logic is unreasonable of me, but I'm so logic-oriented, I can't help it.)
So, sure, you can probably avoid some immediate short-term violence by not enforcing the law. But there will be consequences at some point.
This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.
Discussion (35)
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Superb example of crtical thinking and clear writing.!
People here often express puzzlement about progressivists--how could they possibly think what they think, say what they say, and do what they do?
I think you gave a very clear explanation for most of the cases.
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Karen Bass is a lifelong Communist. Logic, reason, and critical thinking would be insurmountable handicaps to her worldview.
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In other words, she's a woman.
And a Democrat.
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I think Gavin Newsom broached the notion that Californians might not pay federal income taxes. Is he in the same mindset as Mayor Bass?
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Now that’s an offensive comment. Unless you’re trying to be funny. In which case, it’s not appropriate for this post. Please do a better job of reading the room.
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