Justice and Mercy

by Mike Morley, Utah State Representative

[This article gives some good food for thought about how we should look at government and its programs.]

JUSTICE AND MERCY
Rep. Mike Morley

Public debate, often strident and divisive, continues daily on a myriad
of topics from illegal immigration to health care to extended
unemployment benefits and home foreclosures. Airwaves, message boards,
and news programs are filled with rancor, desperation, frustration,
calls for action, calls for a return to the fundamental values of the
Constitution, calls for compassion and civility.

Though it may sound simplistic, I am convinced the answer to these and
other societal concerns can be found in the age-old discussion of
justice and mercy.

Our government was established in defense of the self-evident truth that
“all men are created equal”. The Constitution of the United States, in
its opening statement, declares one of the purposes of the document is
to “establish Justice”. The Pledge of Allegiance closes with the words,
“liberty and justice for all. The building which houses our nation’s
highest court, the Supreme Court, boldly declares the ideals carved in
stone “Equal justice under the law” and “Justice the guardian of
liberty”. Members of that court are aptly called “Justices”.

The statue of a blindfolded Lady Liberty, a sword in one hand and the
scales of justice in the other, adorns many of our government and court
buildings reminding us that justice is blind or, in other words, fair
and impartial and unable to distinguish between people on any basis
other than what is lawful and just.

As individuals, we feel empathy for those who are less fortunate than
ourselves, whose circumstances fall short of the ideal. Our hearts
reach out to them and we want to help. This is right and good – and
merciful.

Good government is just. It has no emotions, no preferences, no
empathy. Government cannot be merciful. A merciful, charitable
government is a government that takes from one and gives to another
because they are found to be disadvantaged, more deserving, less able.
This is the very antithesis of justice. Mercy is the duty and
responsibility of individuals, churches, charitable organizations,
private industry. Justice is the claim of government.

So, when we hear cries for compassion, leniency, understanding,
sympathy, Christian charity, and mercy, let us remember that these
virtues are our individual responsibility and should be exercised by
each of us while government ensures justice for all.