Dear Dr. Boli: What is the worst crime an American citizen can possibly commit? —Sincerely, Some Guy Who’s Just Asking for a Friend.

Dear Sir: You ask a moral question whose answer would depend on our definitions of terms like “worst” and “crime.” However, it seems to Dr. Boli that there is a good and fairly objective way to answer your question. Our common notions of morality are generally expressed in public policy: the more heinous the crime, the higher the legal penalty. Our public policy has decided that the penalty for one crime in particular is death without trial; therefore, we may say that the worst crime an American citizen can possibly commit is drinking untaxed alcohol.