When we say you can't legislate morality, are we suggesting that there ought not to be government

laws against murder?

If we would eliminate moral concerns from legislation, what would Congress be left to do.

We have an axiom in our culture that is repeated every time a law is in dispute, and it goes something like this.

I'm sure you've heard it.

Perhaps, God forbid, you've even said it,

that it is said of governments,

you cannot legislate morality.

Have you heard that expression?

Can't legislate morality.

Now, on the surface, prima facie, that is a ridiculous statement.

It is an exercise in absurdity.

In a word, ladies and gentlemen, it's silly.

Because if we mean by that that you can't legislate morality, and this is the way it's used

again and again and again in public debate, is that the government ought not to be involved

in enacting laws or passing legislation that curbs, restrains, or restricts human behavior or morality.

Well, think of it.

If we would eliminate moral concerns from legislation, what would Congress be left to do in terms

of the enactment of laws.

Past laws regarding the state bird, but even that would have ecological and therefore

ethical and moral ramifications.

When we say you can't legislate morality or the government ought not to legislate moral issues,

...