The Importance of Being a Law-abiding Citizen

 Constitution and law are two of the most important factors in maintaining social order and national stability. Without them, disorder and chaos would arise because there would be no agreed-upon contract between us as humans or as citizens. Whenever a group of people is bound together by common interests or beliefs, some form of rules and regulations is necessary to set forth the rights and duties of each individual member.  

In the military, there are military laws for every level of personnel and for the organization as a whole. In religious institutions, there are precepts and commandments for the clergy and followers.

 In a family, there are house rules for children as well as for parents. If a member of any particular group decides to break the established rules of conduct, the cohesiveness of the whole will be threatened.

In a country like the United States, there exists a legislative branch where bills are passed into laws and a judicial branch where the laws are upheld. If a member of Congress or an officer of the court fails to abide by the established law, the integrity of his or her office will be jeopardized, and he or she will face a vote of no confidence from the general public, or perhaps even removal from office.  

In order for a country to run smoothly, there are rules and regulations for every industry. In order for society to survive without chaos, there are laws for almost every aspect of our lives. For example, without election laws, elections would not be fair and just; without banking laws, the economy would be in disarray; without criminal laws, crime would run rampant; and without traffic laws, the streets would become a jungle.

 However, at the same time, many people perceive laws as obstacles to individual liberty and as a means for government to control people. What, then, is the true nature of law? On the surface, rules of conduct, such as precepts or commandments, can be restricting, for they seem to limit the scope of our actions. But in reality, they are the guarantors of personal freedom. For example, if we were to violate any one of the five precepts of Buddhism—no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no slandering, and no intoxication—we could end up wearing a prison uniform for an extended period of time, depending upon our offense.

 Therefore, if a nation desires to achieve long-term stability and prosperity, every one of her citizens must develop the habit of adhering to the laws, as established by custom, agreement, and authority. No one should be allowed to use legal loopholes to avoid problems—not the president, not celebrities, and not ordinary citizens. Everyone should be equal before the law, regardless of race, age, sex, wealth, fame, or position; otherwise, society and the country will fall into utter chaos.

 In a country of law and order, in an organization of rules and regulations, nothing is more important than respect for and adherence to the rules. A traffic light is of no value if everyone chooses to ignore it. A crosswalk is of no use if everyone chooses to overlook its existence. Only when we stop for a red light or for a pedestrian can traffic lights and crosswalks serve as a means for public safety and a symbol of law. As law-abiding citizens, we must abide by the law and any of its representations, without lapse. As law-abiding citizens, we must act in accordance with the law, without reminder. For without rules and regulations, our nations will not prosper, society will be lawless, and our character will be flawed and weakened.