Friday, March 21, 2008

What are rights? What are privileges?

Rights are the unalienable liberties we are endowed with at our conception. Webster defines a right as something to which one has a just or lawful claim: as A : the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled B : (1) the interest that one has in a piece of property (2) the property interest possessed under law or custom and agreement in a intangible thing, also something that one may claim as properly due. Now, a privilege (according to Webster) is a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor. There is a huge difference between the two. A privilege can be legally taken away from you, a right cannot. Notice the power of property in regards to a right. Essentially, you can do whatever you wish with your own property as long as you do not infringe upon the rights of another. You own yourself. You are your own property, no one owns you. You are not a slave. No one, not even our government, can take away or restrict your rights. In fact, it is, we the people, that give the government the privilege to govern us and it is our right and duty to make sure they abide by the U.S. Constitution.

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