In today’s society it is very clear that many Americans don’t take the law as serious as it should be. Everyone knows the right from the wrong, and yet they don’t really care that they are doing the wrong thing. Frank Trippett explains how Americans are getting in the habit of breaking minor laws because they don’t considered themselves as criminals because the laws they’re breaking aren’t high risk.
Many may agree with Trippetts’ argument since every man and woman in society thinks that going above the speed limit won’t get them into jail or throw away a plastic cup at the side of the road isn’t a big deal,but the truth is those simple acts breaks the purpose of keeping everyone safe. Trippett makes an argument with the phrase, “You’re a fool if you obey the rules” to disobey the law and it’s true because teenagers see it something they need to go against, it won’t personally affect them, and they don’t think it’s a big deal.
When looking for trouble, some young kids might get you what you’re looking for, but not all young teens are like this. From experience in middle and high school, young teens are always out on the streets hanging out and somehow trouble always find it’s way. Kids vandalize schools and sometimes get the cops involved if the “art” was offensive to the school. This goes to show that young teens aren’t smart. They don’t understand workings of the law enforcement, therefore, they decide it would be a fun idea to disrupt the very rules that keep them safe in society.
Young teenagers are out and about thinking the world revolves around them and what they do won’t affect them like dangerous crimes would, but maybe they just don’t understand it yet. If they grow up not fully understanding what the police do and why they’re there then they will continue to disrupt society. Teenagers don’t fully understand that by breaking the smallest of rules, they are breaking down the wall of safety that was built up for a reason. A second reason why the standard Americans are breaking minor laws is because some believe it won’t affect them the same way higher violent acts would.
Men and women want a simpler way to get out of a messy situations which is why they decide to go against the law. For example, when you’re in busy street and you cut another driver or take shortcuts when you’re not really allowed too. Doing these things may be considered as if it’s not a big deal, but a person never knows when someone or something is crossing the street. Running a red light or stop sign might not be so important when you’re late, but they don’t think about what is happening at the moment but what’s waiting for them.
Individuals are not thinking of the consequences of their actions for the future, but for what happens at the moment. If their actions don’t affect them in a negative way, or they know they wouldn’t get caught then he or she will most likely break the law. The last example is the normal thought that crosses a human’s mind and it’s the phrase, “It’s not big deal”. Everyone has their moments where throwing a plastic bottle on the side of the road is no big deal, drinking and driving is no big deal, turning a left when you’re not supposed to, or any minor laws being broken, but the truth behind it is that it’s a really big deal.
Simple wrong turns or mistakes that are made could a ripple effect in life with this in mind, maybe some people might make better decisions. Ordinary citizens go about their day not knowing they probably broke a couple rules concerning the road, but they didn’t get caught so what is the point right. As long as people don’t get caught they seem to think it’s no big deal; they aren’t concerned about the safety of the people around them.
Acting as if nothing is a big concern can lead people to believe that it’s a good idea to do something they aren’t meant to do. In America, the citizens are more likely to break simple minor rules, but those rules are what makes society safe and protected. Frank Trippett makes an argument that is valid and reasonable because everyday men and women make the same wrong choice even when they know it’s the wrong one. There was a reason why these simple rules were created, but today many Americans are are not following them and aren’t called rule breakers.
Today many associate the word criminal with people who murdered, kidnapped, or a higher act of violence. Society don’t consider people running a red light or changing lanes illegally as criminals because their acts aren’t so horrible. It’s apparent that laws are being broken because teenagers are ignorant, it won’t affect them, and it’s not a big deal but being safe is something the citizens need to fully understand. Without rules that set things straight, there will be no wall to keep the citizens of America safe.
