The Definition of Consciousness – Interlude

Me, I, My and Us, the MIMU of Self

LISTEN: Virginia Supreme Court and The Law

Adding Audio Files to Posts

The Virginia Supreme Court took the unusual action of overturning the will of the People of Virginia as express by their collective voices–the vote. Upholding an article of the Virginia Constitution, essentially a law when set alongside the U S Constitution, does not and can not supersede the U S Constitution is grounded in a set of select principles as old as Western Civilization.

The Virginia Supreme Count action is the most pristine, near perfect example of the difference between a representative and non-representative government.

As written by Thomas Jefferson in the United State Declaration of Independence in 1776, the major founding principles of the American Republic and its Constitution are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is a document specifically designed to protect the individual from the precarious dictates of government–or as referred to henceforth, the community. There is nothing in the Constitution about obeying the law except assigning the President responsibility for ensuring that the laws of the United States are enforced. There is a good reason citizens are not called upon to obey the law. Citizens are the Law.

The Virginia Supreme Court decision to overturn the will of Virginia voters violates the supremacy of individual rights over the prerogatives of “community”

Individual Rights are eternal. As is individual responsibility.

Law, community, are transitory. As are the norms of a society.

Next to the execution of criminals–the taking of life–and taking away the voice of the individual–the vote–these are the most grievous violation by the government of the spirit of the U S Constitution. Next to those two aberrant government actions there incarceration without due process–like putting immigrants and migrants in concentration camps for example.

Personal Privilege

Is there any reason a criminal who kills a policeman or rapes and kills a child or someone who betrays their oath to the U S Constitution should not be put to death by execution? I would personally have no objection. Assuming a jury of their peers find them guilty. Luckily for me, I live in a State which adheres to the spirit of the Constitution. It does not permit executions

So, the State is going against my personal beliefs which may or may not be grounded in my spiritual beliefs. The question then is how does this make me feel? The answer is simple: Who cares?

My rights, my personal beliefs are nullified at the vector where other individuals want their rights respected. This is where the individual entity ends and the community of individuals begins. The community collective may believe as I do. Death to felonious criminals. Totally irrelevant. Just as a state Constitution can not override the foundation of the Constitution, neither can the wishes of the community. Community, composed of individuals, majority or minority status, can not over-ride the “inalienable rights of each of its individual members.

But, where do the rights of the community–the collective–enter the picture. Does it not deserve consideration? Doesn’t the community have a right to abide in a safe and peaceful society? The answer is absolutely. Since ancient times or most likely since humans had the sense to reside in caves, community have exiled unwanted denizens. In representative democracies, we send them to prison. Same thing. Pursue life, liberty elsewhere.

The Virginia Supreme Court decision to nullify the Will of the individuals residing in Virginia is not grounded in any aspect of the spirit of the US Constitution. It purports to defend the law, the Virginia Constitution. The foundation of the US Constitution is defending the individual, not the law, not constitutions, not the whims of the collective. The price the community pays for the relative tranquility of letting individuals pursue Life, Liberty and Happiness is to allow individuals to vote. Take away the voice, the vote, there is no reciprocal obligation of the individual to adhere to the law, customs and desires of the community. Your basic American battle cry: no taxation without representation.

Congressional gerrymandering anyone?