The Constitution, the Declaration, and our Rights

I’ve decided that the next time someone tells me they have a right to (whatever …), I’m going to hand them one of those miniature copies of our Constitution and demand that they show me where that right is elucidated. And then I’ll wait. It’ll take some time so I might have to have a book on hand for something to do while they search – in vain – for their imaginary right. Because, of course, most “rights” that people presume they have, are not even mentioned in our founding documents.  Here’s what our Bill of Rights gives us:

• Freedom of speech and the press,
• The right to assemble, to petition, and the right to religious freedom;
• The right to keep and bear arms;
• The right not to have troops quartered in your home;
• The right to reasonable search and seizure;
• The rights of due process, eminent domain, and a speedy trial;
• The right to civil trial by jury;
• Protection from cruel and unusual punishment;
• Protection of rights already retained by citizens;
• and the right of states and people to derive their own powers.

How about a right to transportation? Nope. Equitable pay? Not found (although I’ve heard rumors it’s somewhere in the Democrat Party Platform). A house of your own? Uh uh. Take an hour to read these brilliant documents and you’ll be in for some surprises. And some treats. I’ll make it easy for you:

http://www.constitution.org/constit_.htm.
http://www.constitution.org/usdeclar.htm

The truth, seldom acknowledged in today’s atmosphere of temporary fixes and go-along-to-get-along politics, is that our country’s constitution guarantees its citizens (not visitors, just citizens) three things: the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to pursue happiness. It doesn’t even guarantee happiness, just the pursuit thereof. So what are we to make of all this talk about our government’s obligation to provide time off from work and automatic raises and free health care?

If you’re indolent and want someone else to provide everything for you, or if you’re a politician appealing to the most debased level of human nature in exchange for votes, you’ll say that the constitution is a “living document.” What’s that supposed to mean? It means that if they can con enough people into believing our constitution was meant to be changed whenever suceeding generations disagree with it, then they can alter it to accommodate whatever whims certain people have in mind. Instead of a revered, world-changing document, it’s treated like a poorly-worded contract with multiple loopholes.

Folks, if you really want free guaranteed extended vacations, health care, and all the other “rights” a self-respecting, law abiding citizen would earn through hard work and perseverence, I have a suggestion – emigrate to one of those European countries the liberal intelligensia are always citing as models of enlightened civilization. You’ll receive plenty of “free” perks in those countries. But just so you know – they’re the ones struggling to keep up with us. Their taxes are substantially higher than ours. The unemployment rate of the European Union hovers around 7.3% on average, (ours is currently 4.8%). To get decent healthcare in a timely manner, you’ll have to wait for it even if you have a life-threatening illness. You’ll get that 6-week vacation in the Azores, but at the expense of an economy that is sagging in productivity. Lately, they’ve started rethinking their immigration policies, though. Turns out their rising numbers of Islamic immigrants are making absurd demands and causing turmoil.

The motto of the European Union is United in Diversity. Now I know where American liberals came up with their ideas about multiplicity. Well, we see how well it works, don’t we?

Laus Deo, readers. Until next time.