“He compared laws to spiders’ webs, which stand firm when any light and yielding object falls upon them, while a larger thing breaks through them and makes off.”

— Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Chapter 2: Solon

I was struck by this quote describing the words of one of Ancient Greece’s Seven Sages, Solon the Law Giver (ca. 594 BC), particularly in relation to Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid and life in general.

I find it extremely aggravating, unfair and hypocritical that people like the Clintons — with their big money, political connections and gift for retaliation — literally break the law and get away with their illegal activities, when citizens like you and me — the “light and yielding” ones without the ability to wield our checkbooks and political clout like a bludgeon — have to tread on eggshells to negotiate a minefield of laws and their attendant penalties. How many of you seriously think you could commit even a fraction of the illegal and questionable acts Ms. Clinton has in her lifetime without being crushed under the “awful majesty of the law?”

The “larger things” — those with the power, influence and backroom deals in place — have rigged it so they don’t have to obey those same laws. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others …

Not that the Clintons are the only ones: politicians, big business leaders, entertainers, media talking heads, you name it are just as bad. This — not being subject to the same laws and punishments as everyone else — may be the biggest cause of the destruction of civilization as we know it. In the United States of today, we no longer actually believe in or live by the rule of law. We’re descending to the level of Banana Republic and nobody seems to care.

Indeed, people seem eager to elect Banana Republic dictators, regardless of their guilt.

“The Emperor Augustus once caught sight of some wealthy foreigners in Rome, who were carrying about young monkeys and puppies in their arms and caressing them with a great show of affection. We are told that he then asked whether the women in those countries did not bear children, thus rebuking in truly Imperial fashion those who squander upon animals that capacity for love and affection which in the natural order of things should be reserved for our fellow men.”

— Plutarch, from the Parallel Lives – Pericles

And now for my rant…

This is precisely what I think whenever I’m out and about and have to put up with someone’s infernal, yapping dog at a restaurant; or when I see photos of pets dressed up in the most ridiculous—not to say expensive-looking—costumes; or when I read about luxury pet spas complete with designer bedding and gourmet chefs. Amtrak can’t seem to run a railroad properly, what with abysmal on-time records and fatal train crashes, but they sure were happy to announce their new program allowing passengers to bring their pets along—wonderful for people like me with dog allergies.

Now, pets are perfectly fine. As those of you who’ve been reading me well know, I’m a cat person and had two cats: Victoria for 15 years and Max for 19 years. I have no pets at the moment for a variety of reasons, and sometimes I miss having them around.

But remember: they’re pets and just animals. Shouldn’t we be spending our real love, devotion and treasure upon our fellow men?