If you think about it with the passing of Andy Griffith, a large part of this country’s population has probably taken a look back at this man and how his signature character, Andy Taylor, influenced their lives. As I reflected back on my own memories of the man and his landmark series, I realized that perhaps Chief Justice John Roberts had done the same thing. And perhaps it was the Sheriff from Mayberry that influenced the Chief Justice to change his mind and his vote, regarding ObamaCare.
In Season 2 Episode15 of the Andy Griffith Show, we see a young Bill Bixby portray a rich ,spoiled teen – Ron Bailey. The young man finds himself in trouble with the law and attempts to use his father’s money and influence to remedy his situation. Honest Andy will have no part in this effort to manipulation of the law. He insists that justice run its course, and that the young man accept responsibility for his misdeeds. As the story progresses; Bailey observes a situation were the sheriff’s own son, Opie, confesses to a wrong doing. He broke a neighbor’s window. The sheriff is quick to forgive, but firm in his punishment. Opie will pay for the broken window from his small weekly allowance. Bailey questions the severity of the sheriff’s punishment against his own son, and reasons that the boy should be “cut some slack”. In Mayberry style, Andy responses that if he were to “cut the kid some slack” that his son fails to accept the consequence of his actions and the responsibilities associated with his deed. Over time, the boy’s errors would continue and grow in their degree of seriousness. His son would expect and demand that he be “cut some slack” with each offense – never learning to assume responsibility for his actions. A grown man welding his father’s influence and power over others to ensure his disrespect for authority goes unchallenged. “No, sir!? ” Andy declares! ” The boy broke the window so he, alone, must right the wrong.” As the story progresses to its conclusion, the elder Bailey sends his attorney to bail out his wayward son from his latest predicament. However; young Bailey finally grasp the logic behind Opie’s punishment. The wayword teen steps up to accept responsibility for his offense – and to “pay for his own broken window.”
Perhaps; Chief Justice Roberts caught a rerun of this particular episode playing sometime over the past few weeks. And perhaps; he realized that the American public was much like young Ron Bailey ? a spoiled rich kid looking for the easy way out. Continually, the people of this great land (both on the Right and on the Left) find their political views being skewed by the opposing side. People and political groups find themselves in these uncomfortable predicaments for any number of reasons – loss of power, bad decisions, miscalculations on how your opponent will react, etc.
But we as a people realize that the legislative system is mired in bureaucracy, bi-partisanship, and special interest influence. It is a long uphill fight to make things right when we fill we?ve been wronged. It’s much easier for “daddy” – the Supreme Court ? to step in and “cut us some slack”.
But perhaps after Roberts viewed how Andy handled the situation, the Chief Justice decided that “No! It wasn’t daddy’s job to bail out the American public – this time!”
Rather it was ?We, the people? who should assume responsibility for our situation. And “We, the people” should man up by using the tools provided by our Constitution, if we do not like the direction in which this country is headed.
The Founding Fathers fought for the freedoms in which we are entitled. With our Constitution, they provided a map for maintaining our liberty. We, as a people, have the right and responsibility stay on the road to freedom – or change our course. But regardless, the choice is ours. And right or wrong, daddy should respect our decision and not “cut us some slack”.