Does the government gives us our rights?

Whiskeybone

The funny thing about conspiracy theorists is that there is a stygma created about them that the sheep usually follow blindly.

First rule of engagement, in this society, is discredibility.

A truism: The greatest feat of the devil was to convince the world that he didn't exist.

Nope, not even being biblical. Don't like bible-beating, honestly, but that one rings true today.

Every time we create a new law to govern us, we give away a freedom to let us govern ourselves. A right to be a better person and/or nation.

As for the question, I see what you mean to ask. But how to ask it?

Designating a right and labeling it actually might give us that kind of ground to claim as our own. Free speech and right to bear arms... those are named and labeled... I think it's more the definition some try to apply that needs to be defended against.

Bearing arms, for that matter, has been called on as being archaic and no longer applies to our modern existence because it meant to go out and shoot our food.

Since much of our food now is canned or frozen or 'fresh', that right has been targetted for removal, but it was never really about hunting for food at all.

It was actually meant for us to be able to defend 'against a government that had grown to big for its britches'. At that time, I'm sure they were looking at English tyranny and the like, and we've grown so much more cerebral since, but the reason still exists.

Hitler did two things to Germany before he started his massacres... yes, they happened... and that was to limit modes of transportation and to remove arms from the people.

Not necessarily in that order.

When rights start getting removed... yes, I see what you're driving at... then things can get out of hand.

David M

Why do I have a feeling a lot of conspiracy theorist are going to answer this...

americanfreeman

Read the Declaration of Independance. The first few lines answer all your questions. All men are created equal and all that.

The answer to your first question is NO. The government serves the people, it does not give us our rights.

For even more information, read the US Constitution. Every American needs to know thoses two documents inside and out. Otherwise, people can take advantage of you.

Das_Spinkel

Did the British government give us our rights, or did we take them? Freedom is not given, it is earned.

Without governing of rights, what you have is anarchy. In anarchy, you have more freedom, but your rights are way more likely to be violated. Make sense?

Ignonymous

the government (begrudgingly) gives us rights, but it's more than happy to take them away. i can't read reddit.com any more. it's too depressing.

Which goverment of what country are you talking about?

Anyway, my opinion is that you can't have rights unless you fulfill your responsibilities.

iansand9876

They may not give them, but they sure as heck take them away.

What rights you expect are very much influenced by the rights you have left. The rest of the civilised world looks at the US "right" to bear arms with wonderment and trepidation, for example. But otherwise rational US folk go through extraordinary intellectual contortions to justify it.

David B

constitutionally, rights are enumerated in the Bill of Rights, and all those not enumerated are "reserved to the people."

Arwen

Ok, here is the history lesson. Since 1776, we tell the Government what to do, not the other way around. We are a Republic and our rights come from God and the US Constitution. Our government is of the people, by the people and for the people. Do spend some time watching this video class on what our Bill Of Rights and the Constitution is all about.

http://www.archive.org/details/Michael_Badnarik

You can type in Michael Badnarik into YouTube and watch in segments.

Baby Poots

Yes.

iraqisax

No, we derive our rights from our Creator. Read the Declaration of Independence.

Governments are instituted to protect those rights. When people don't understand what their rights are, and where they get them from, criminal politicians take them away. We see that happening now.

The First and Second Amendments (Freedom of Speech, and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms) have been under attack for decades. Now, the Fourth and Fifth Amendments (Freedom from Unreasonable Search, and the Right to an Open, Public Trial, Freedom From Torture, the Right to Counsel and to Face your Accuser and Habeas Corpus).

All this, we are told, it for out own good. Well, I want my freedoms back. I don't want the protection of the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, or the Department of Homeland Terrorism.

I am not ready to grovel before some politician for his "protection". I want my rights restored. How about you?

MR T

Yes the goverment gives us right and also free will but people should not violate it because there comes a punishment in every mistake a person commits.

dragoncreep

we have what rights they think we need. and no more.

Edson C

There are many side to this subject, the government does give us our right, when it needs to, but however, it is the people who make sure they get us when no one else can, so yes, it does give us our rights, but there are just unjust people who don't like what tour doing, and try to get you for it

ineedawhiskey

"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

as you can see the government gives us no rights.
our consent gives them the right to govern.
most people don't understand that we are/should be in control.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."

in a non religious sense we get our rights because we are human

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

you see what this means is an armed populace secures a free state by keeping a government under the threat of revolt.

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

WarDruid

The govornment exists to secure and protect our rights...you need to go read the Articles of Freedom.

bubblies

yep we no longer have rights.

SPLNTR

the american in me
lyrics by Penelope Houston/ music by P. Houston, G. Ingraham, D. O'Brien, J. Wilsey

--------------------------------------...

It's the American in me that makes me watch the blood
running out of the bullethole in his head.
It's the American in me that makes me watch TV
see on the news, listen what the man said.
He said

"Ask not what you can do for your country
what's your country been doing to you
Ask not what you can do for your country
what's your country been doing to your mind?"

It's the American in me says it an honor to die
in a war that's just a politicians lie
It's the American in me that makes me watch TV
see how they burn the SLA
They say

"Ask not what you can do for your country
what's your country been doing to you
Ask not what you can do for your country
what's your country been doing to your mind?"

In the USA!
In the USA!
In the USA!

It's the American in me that makes me watch the blood
running out of the bullethole in his head.
It's the American in me that never wonders why
Kennedy was murdered by the FBI (said)

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