Every American seems to agree on the basic fact that we have rights. What is arguable is what forms those rights actually take and how to determine what is what in regard to right. What follows is my own take on rights, and will obviously not jive with everyone else’s ideas. That is, of course, cool.
The most basic of rights is property rights. At it’s very basis, almost all other rights spring from the concept that you own you. Your own mind, body, and spirit are your own and physically belong to no other. Because you are free to do with your own person as you wish, this is why you’re free to speak your mind. It’s your body, so there shouldn’t be any laws that prevent you from getting a tattoo or a piercing, no matter what.
Obviously, property rights also include your own home and your vehicle. Your property rights at home include the basic right to defend your home with lethal force if necessary. I have a lot of problems with things that infringe on property rights. For example, I’ll never live in a neighborhood with a covenant. I don’t want my neighbors deciding what kind of shed I can have in my back yard. It’s also why I have always had a problem with imminent domain. I remember studying the concept in elementary school, many moons ago, and thinking “there’s just no way this can be right.” I mean, taking someone’s property just because you feel you have a better use for it?
Yes, yes, I know. Without imminent domain, we wouldn’t have places to build schools and roads, etc. But I can’t help but wonder if this easy disregard for property rights helped set out the justification for the erosion of so many other rights. That’s really neither here nor there though, so let’s move on.
After property rights, we have the right to the means of self defense. Frankly, it exists parallel to property rights. Every human being has the basic right to defend their property. As such, we must have those means. In this day and age, that means firearms. It is an unequivocal position of mine that we must maintain the means to defend our homes from any enemy, foreign or domestic. Period. I don’t care if it’s the gang banger from across town, or freaking space aliens. We have the right to protect our home. It might not be wise necessarily, but it’s not up to the State to legislate wisdom.
Next, there is freedom of the press. Yes, that’s the freedom that this blog operates under, much to the chagrin of some. It is absolutely essential that the press operate without fear of governmental reprisal. While many lament the liberal bent of the mainstream media, imagine what it would be like without the freedom to change their minds about a president. The media can turn on any politician, and that threat keeps things relatively in check.
These are just of the few of the most basic rights we enjoy. Yes, you will not see a freedom of religion, because that is something in your mind and spirit and therefore part of you owning you. Yes, you see no protection against unreasonable search and seizure, but that’s because of property rights again – it’s your stuff and that’s that. Many of the other rights we count on fall into that category too.
Again, this are just the opinion of one guy. This isn’t the official stance of anyone but little old me. But it’s how I feel and these days we have to damn many people afraid to say what they think and how the feel about some of the most basic issues of our day. Obviously, I’m not one of those.
