Perhaps the worst word created in history is “lawmaker” — which has come to replace the term “elected representative” in our republic. I say this because of every vote I’ve ever cast, none of them have been to put someone in a position to create more laws. God knows, I know and you know we already have too many laws on the books, few of them effective or prosecuted. 

 Which is why I say lawmakers don’t really make laws. They simply come up with more and more ways to make law-abiding citizens criminals. Look no further than to the latest tragedy — and it is indeed a tragedy no matter which side or take you have on it — in Minnesota this past week with the death of Daunte Wright. 

I’m not going to get into the intent of the police officer who pulled the trigger. I have no idea what she was thinking at the time. I can speculate based on Wright’s actions, her actions and the situation. But none of that brings Wright back to life. Nor does my opinion have any bearing on the reactions of how many different sides will continue to play out — legally and illegally — to the death of this young man. 

But I do have an opinion about how things like this happen. It can be found in the headline for this column. It’s also the reason why this entire, tragic, dangerous situation came about. Because as each layer of endless law after endless law is applied and heaped onto the traffic stop, things just got worse. All leading to the death of someone who should have never been killed. 

Let’s begin with the reason the entire scenario came to happen. Daunte Wright was pulled over for expired license tags. That’s it. Expired tags. Something thousands, if not millions, of us have done. Why were his tags expired? Think about it. Why were yours or mine expired? We could say, “I forgot.” But let’s be honest, NO entity on the planet is better at informing the public of bills due than our governments, so it really can’t be that. Then again, given its penchant for added, unfair, massive penalties for late pay, perhaps it is not as anxious for timely pay as we think. 

More honest would be the simple answer. Daunte couldn’t afford the amount due. Why is that? Look no further than the absurd, confiscatory rates our state now charges since raising fees on our license tags over the past 10 years. Why is that? Exactly. Government always needs more money. Raising fees — and creating even more in penalties from those who can least afford the increase — is a whole new and better way to get money than asking for a tax increase on the ballot. So you know damned well government is going to enforce that law. It’s also how you get laws saying no pine trees hanging from mirrors while Fido running amok in your car is A-OK. 

From the pullover and, I assume, Daunte’s ID, police discovered a warrant out for his arrest for carrying a gun without a permit and fleeing officers some time last year. Whether those two things are related, I don’t know. Nor should they really matter to the topic at hand. I’ve run from cops in my past from doing juvenile things like TP-ing a house or throwing snowballs at traffic. I might have even been identified in doing so. I might even have a bench warrant out for unpaid parking tickets in some state. 

As for the gun without a permit, the Second Amendment says, “Shall not be infringed.” Therefore, someone created a law which says in order for anyone to have a gun it must be registered with the government. I believe any such law to be a violation of the Constitution and any “lawmakers” who disagree should resign for violating their oath to uphold the Constitution. And if Daunte’s fleeing warrant is related to this, then those ‘lawmakers” sure did their job in criminalizing the citizenry.  

The fact is, laying law upon law upon unenforced and bad law does many bad things. It creates more opportunities for situations like this to not only occur, but also escalate. Worse, these laws affect disproportionately those least able to follow, have knowledge of or pay the piper — the government, that is — to steer clear of them. And that makes even more regular folks criminals. 

Think of tax laws, regulations and fees that make things more expensive. Those most disadvantaged in society bear the brunt of higher prices or consequences for nonpayment. How about gun laws? Those who need or want guns for protection are least able to obtain them legally — think Chicago — or perhaps have a record disallowing ownership due to the dearth of laws making them “special” criminals. I don’t know why Daunte had a gun, but I guarantee it wasn’t to be killed by police. 

And just when you think it can’t be worse, remember our lawmakers also decide who should or shouldn’t be subject to the law. Of course, lawmakers and government types tend to be first. Lately, a close second are “mostly peaceful protesters.” Given location, no doubt a factor in Daunte’s tragic death. 

The next time you think “there oughta be a law,” perhaps look at it from Daunte’s point of view. 

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.