How come everyday citizens aren't allowed to interpret the law that the government writes, but the government is allowed (extremist, terrorist)

[KonaldDuth]

to interpret the Constitution, the laws that it's supposed to follow?

So if I decide to steal something, I can't say the laws against theft are living, breathing documents that don't mean what they meant when the legislatures wrote them? That argument doesn't work?

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by KonaldDuth

to interpret the Constitution, the laws that it's supposed to follow?

So if I decide to steal something, I can't say the laws against theft are living, breathing documents that don't mean what they meant when the legislatures wrote them? That argument doesn't work?

I'm going to take a great leap of faith here, and assume you are asking a serious question rather than trying to troll.

You don't get arrested for breaking the Constitution. You get arrested for breaking the *law*. The arresting authority will not accept your contention that a particular law is unconstitutional. To get a law declared unconstitutional requires that you be convicted of breaking it, and that you successfully appeal your conviction on constitutional grounds.

In the case of theft - don't hold your breath.

[T0103E]

Because they aren't going to punish themselves. It's like writing on a piece of paper that it's wrong for an average citizen to steal, but then letting the thieves be the ultimate decider of their guilt.

If there's a deterrent, regardless of what the law or constitution says, people will respond to that. They don't do it just because it's written on paper. There's nobody watching the watchmen to any significant degree. The founders said it needed to be the citizens, but anyone who would actually do anything would be labeled a traitor, terrorist, anti-American extremist.

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by KonaldDuth

to interpret the Constitution, the laws that it's supposed to follow?

So if I decide to steal something, I can't say the laws against theft are living, breathing documents that don't mean what they meant when the legislatures wrote them? That argument doesn't work?

as noted you dont get arrested for violating the constitution.

when a law is crafted, passed by the legislature, and signed by the president or governor, the law is considered constitutional until such time as it is challenged in court, and the challenge to the law is upheld.

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by KonaldDuth

to interpret the Constitution, the laws that it's supposed to follow?

So if I decide to steal something, I can't say the laws against theft are living, breathing documents that don't mean what they meant when the legislatures wrote them? That argument doesn't work?

Because we don't live in a chaotic society with everybody writing their own rules.

[CCbaxter]

Only the judicial branch has appointments, everyone else in all other branches of the government serve at the pleasure of the citizens of the United States. If someone who represents you is not doing a good job, you fire them by voting for someone else. If you feel that's not working out, run yourself. If only half the populace votes, that's society's problem. If someone wins popular election and you personally don't agree with them, that's your problem.
That's the way it was set up, that's the way it works.