The laws are a changing, for the worse. The few good old laws are being replaced by hundreds of silly and crazy new ones. Every year states, counties, cities, homeowner associations and the federal government, legislate, legislate and legislate. Their new laws are everywhere and strictly enforced. No one can escape. Lawmakers are careful to make new laws “secular.” Sometimes laws are replaced just because they bear some resemblance to ancient Bible laws.

Not too long ago, nearly every state had laws against adultery. Politicians caught in the illegal act were forced to resign. Major corporations fired employees who betrayed their spouses in marriage. Unfortunately, infidelity is no longer a crime in America. It seems to be OK. Presidents and governors are more popular and sometimes even re-elected when their faithlessness is made public.

Stealing was an extremely serious crime under laws from the past. Rustlers and horse thieves were often hanged after short trials. Ridiculous new-fangled laws make it a crime to harm thieves. Two or three law books, at least, must be filled with laws protecting burglars. Robbers are better off than innocent workers who vote and pay taxes.

Once upon a time, sodomy was also a crime in America. Modern “consenting adult” laws, say it's constitutional. Sodomites regularly get married in public in San Francisco. It's still against the law for sodomites to get married but that old law is associated with the Bible. Nobody keeps it.

People were better off with a few good laws, say the Old Timers, even if they were confederate with the Bible. One Old Timer, Thomas Jefferson, said, “He who’s governed least is governed best.” He’d be amazed to see how today’s law libraries are filling up with thousands and thousands of inane new laws. People aren’t being governed very well, he’d say, with so many yokes around their necks. He’d be shocked to see adultery openly practiced by people who can’t fix the porch without a building permit.

At least one Old Timer says the country would do better to go back to a few good laws like the Ten Commandments. They’re short, understandable, and easy to hang on walls in kitchens and living rooms. Stealing, murder and adultery would be rare again and kids would honor their parents. People wouldn’t be afraid, all the time, worrying about breaking some new law they didn’t know about.

Unfortunately, lawmakers keep churning out hundreds of new secular laws and doing away with the old. It looks like they’ll never stop. Law libraries keep adding new rooms for the new law books. They put extensions on ladders so lawyers can reach the top shelves. Nobody listens to Thomas Jefferson, these days. Life gets worse; not better.

Darrell Watkins lives in Kelseyville.

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