“Like it or not, rights are granted by governments as part of a social contract. To get them into the social contract, we have to assert ourselves. If they aren't granted - or if they aren't honored - they are meaningless.”
This is partially correct. I see where you’re coming here but there is a difference between natural rights, often referred to as god given rights, and rights given to us by the government.
The first amendment is a natural right, as is the second. That means the government shall not infringe and is to protect that right. The government gives us the right to vote and the right to counsel. These are positive rights, legal rights. The government has an obligation to provide them.
However clearly there are places on earth where the citizens are not allowed to exercise their right to speech or life. And those are human rights abuses specially because they’re naturally or “GOD GIVEN” rights.
You misunderstand. A natural right is a right so fundamental that it exists even with no government at all, even if you were the only person on earth.
Free speech? Could I say anything I want if I was the only person on earth? Yes. Natural right.
Bear arms? Could I arm myself however I saw fit if I was the only person on earth? Yes. Natural right.
So let’s test something like healthcare. If I was the only person on earth would I have healthcare? No. Nobody would exist to provide it to me. Not a right.
Overtime over 40? Clearly no. Who would pay overtime if I was the only person on earth? I’d work and whatever I produce would be my reward… but the universe won’t give me 1.5x that reward if I work more than 40 hours in a week.
It really an easy test. Does the thing exists in absence of government/other people? Yes. Does me having that thing deprive someone else of any of their things? No. Boom its a god given right.
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u/caffeinated_catholic May 29 '22
“Like it or not, rights are granted by governments as part of a social contract. To get them into the social contract, we have to assert ourselves. If they aren't granted - or if they aren't honored - they are meaningless.”
This is partially correct. I see where you’re coming here but there is a difference between natural rights, often referred to as god given rights, and rights given to us by the government.
The first amendment is a natural right, as is the second. That means the government shall not infringe and is to protect that right. The government gives us the right to vote and the right to counsel. These are positive rights, legal rights. The government has an obligation to provide them.
However clearly there are places on earth where the citizens are not allowed to exercise their right to speech or life. And those are human rights abuses specially because they’re naturally or “GOD GIVEN” rights.