A Land of Law or a Land of Men

Tommy came running through the back door and into the kitchen, excited to show his mother the giant snail that he had discovered near a backyard downspout. Mother acknowledged the wonderful catch and then gently reminded him of the house rule that shoes are to be removed at the door. As Tommy nodded in repentance and agreement, he noticed his Dad grabbing a snack of milk and cookies at the kitchen island. “Daddy, you forgot to take off your shoes,” he noted. “Daddy doesn’t have to take off his shoes because he’s Daddy,” came the reply.
In America, we believe in “house rules”. Our country was established on them. It really rubs us the wrong way when individuals excuse themselves from following the rules by claiming preferred treatment or status. We hold strongly to the statement that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” All are equal under the law. There is a standard of “house rules” that governs equally over everyone. For you and me as Americans, that rule of the house is the Constitution.
The Constitution was designed to limit the power of those who govern and to provide equal protection for all citizens, no matter what their station in life. Our governing officials, our judicial leaders, our Congress, and our military personnel have sworn to uphold the “house rules” over and above any personality or power. There is no one in our land that is over or above the Constitution of the United States.
When a man violates the house rules by wearing his shoes in the kitchen, it is wrong. It does not matter who the man is. If a man is preferred above the law, despotism is in the wings. When the opinions of men out-weigh the principle of law, chaos is in the wind. A lawless age brings instability, confusion, and ultimately tyranny.
You and I must defend our system of law, and require that all men be held accountable to it. If we allow individual leaders to expand their influence, control, or power beyond the scope of law, then we are allowing those individuals to become a law unto themselves and we have ceased to be a nation governed by a constitution. We have become a government of men and equality under to law has become a byword.