Respect for Authority WHY ESSENTIAL?

WHO is not grateful that the police have the authority to arrest criminal who steal our possessions or threaten our family? And do we not appreciate that courts have the authority to punish criminals in order to protect the community.  

Note: yeah, as long as they get the right criminal; because so many innocent ones go to prison because the police get tunnel vision and  try to convict the wrong ones and the let the real culprit go.  I have respect for most authority most of the time,  when it actually works the way it should, but justice is deaf, dumb and blind, not to mention there are some corrupt individuals who can be bought. I was brought up to be respectful to all authority and was corrected by my parents when I was not being so. I am an adult now and I am very realistic and see the world/our country for what is really is, or at least the people who run it-into the ground, and then blame it on someone else.   When authority is corrupt, they, in  my opinion do not deserve the respect they expect to get.  
The authorities have no respect for us, or they would not do the things they do. 
Just being honest here. That is all I can be.  Yes, you should have respect for some authority figures.  

Other helpful public services, such as road maintenance, sanitation, and education -usually paid for by taxes levied by governmental authority-may also come to mind.  True Christians are foremost in acknowledging that respect for duly appointed  authority is essential. But how far does such respect go?  And in what areas of live its respect for authority called for? 

Next time: Authority in the Community

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000