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Anarchy in California

Written February 22nd, 2004

Anarchy reigns supreme in California. City officials in San Francisco openly defy California law and issue marriage certificates to same-gender couples. The Attorney General of California, Bill Lockyer, first stated that he would support the law, but Lockyer has since reversed course, claiming that to defend the law would be "following orders" of Governor Schwarzenegger. Having made that purely political statement, Lockyer then reversed himself again, stating "his office will file a response early this week".

Lockyer's flip-flops on this issue are not logical. Nor is his claim that Governor Schwarzenegger "ordered" him to stop the marriages. What Governor Schwarzenegger asked him to do was "obtain a definitive judicial resolution". The Governor can not "order" an Attorney General to do anything, and Lockyer knows that, he is just playing political games. If Lockyer really does not understand what "obtain a definitive judicial resolution" means, then he is not qualified to be an Attorney General. If he does not understand why elected officials ignoring the law leads to anarchy then he is just plain stupid.

If Lockyer continues to refuse to enforce California law, then a recall should immediately be launched against him and Governor Schwarzenegger should explore his options to deal with an Attorney General who refuses to obey the law.

The situation in California is dangerous because it is encouraging other people to violate the law, and not just in California. In New Mexico, a county clerk started issuing same-gender marriage certificates—until that state's Attorney General ordered it stopped. (Are you listening, Bill Lockyer?)

One does not have to dwell long on this subject to imagine the consequences of local official usurping state laws. Concealed carry permits for guns could be handed out to "anyone with fifty dollars". Building permits could be issued to people without business licenses, or before any inspections had been carried out.

How can you trust that your doctor or lawyer is really a knowledgeable professional, or just someone who had the necessary cash to buy a "license" from a local official who couldn't be bothered by state laws requiring such people to pass exams proving they knew what they were doing?

Think about all the people on the road around you. What if they no longer had to demonstrate a minimal capability before being allowed to operate a motor vehicle?

Over the long term what happens when local officials not only decide to issue licenses to anyone who shows up, but also decide that auctioning them off to the highest bidder would enhance local budgets? Hey, need a driver's license? Well, you better have at least $1000, because that is what they are now going for on eBay!

Contrast this situation to what happened in Alabama when (then) Judge Roy Moore refused to obey a lawful order to remove a display of the Ten Commandments. He was summarily removed from office and the display taken down. Liberals whined long and hard about Moore trying to keep the display up despite an order to remove it, so why are they being such hypocrites about the law in this situation? I think we all know the answer already: liberals are not concerned about the law, per se, just about how the law can help them with their political agenda.

City officials in San Francisco openly defy California law and issue marriage certificates to same-gender couples.



The situation in California is dangerous because it is encouraging other people to violate the law



Concealed carry permits for guns could be handed out to "anyone with fifty dollars".



Contrast this situation to what happened in Alabama when (then) Judge Roy Moore refused to obey a lawful order to remove a display of the Ten Commandments.




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