In debates over presidential impeachment, a recurrent theme has been the importance of upholding the law. In particular, it is argued, when the law is not enforced that leads to disrespect for law. We all have a stake in this continuing to be a nation of laws and that nobody be treated as being above the law. There is much truth in that.
Nobody can be secure in a lawless society or one that is governed by sheer arbitrary power.
Respect for the law by a large majority of the people is essential in upholding this foundation of civil society. That is a point that religious groups have appealed to as they have sought to mobilize support for the civil rights and civil liberties of oppressed or persecuted racial and religious minorities. Surely enforcement is a part of the picture. But, having said that, we have to admit that enforcement of unjust laws has exactly the opposite effect. While watching a TV special on the Selma, Alabama campaign of 1965, I was reminded again just how wicked law enforcement was in that and other communities.