Michael,
As I said before, you are missing the fundamental idea of democracy here, right in this statement:
"Yes, we are self-governing but do we need our government to legislate what one's morality should be?"
Our government, our laws, are our creation. We self-govern--our government is ourselves. I once heard a real estate agent talking about local land use laws and how difficult they made life AS IF THEY WERE THE LAWS OF PHYSICS. It would have astounded her to know that we made and could unmake those laws, if we had the political courage to do so.
If the community of Three Forks, Iowa doesn't want any nude dancing within the county line, and they vote for it (community standards) what countervailing interest (the building owner's, the strip club operator's, the girls?) is so important that it should trump the democratic will of the people to live in a community without such activity? We can't legislate morality ("you WILL be a good person") but we can restrict or forbid activity which is not constitutionally protected. We forbid the firing of weapons within city limits? Is that wrong?
Your questions:
"Why should the citizens of your scenario care what's going on behind closed doors at the Nude Dancing and Massage parlor if it's all being conducted "legally"? "
We have parking laws, red lights, one way streets--we act always within jurisdictions to restrict activity. Why not here?
. Zoning doesn't permit a guy to put up a factory rendering fat on land that's zoned residential. ???
"The citizens did not condone the "sleazy conduct" but does it actually affect what is happening across the street at the "Cultural Center"?"
If they vote against it, they must think so. Shouldn't it be their choice? Again, what is the overriding interest that should trump theirs? Why shouldn't their votes (their democracy) count? Why can't they decide what makes a pleasant, desirable town (neat parking, parking meters, etc.).
Kb |
