A lot of people misunderstand the nature of their rights. The source.
To the Founders, an understanding of NATURAL RIGHTS was essential. These rights pre-exist any government or document or decree.
They knew that when the people view understand their rights as a birthright rather than a gift from government, they’re much more likely to ignore government attempts to restrict or end them.
Thomas Jefferson put it this way:
take our poll - story continues below[gravityforms id="56"]Completing this poll grants you access to DC Dirty Laundry updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.A free people claim their rights, as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.
In other words, we the people need to learn how to exercise our rights whether the government wants us to or not.
At the Massachusetts ratifying convention, Theophilus Parsons reinforced this view:
No power was given to Congress to infringe on any one of the natural rights of the people by this Constitution, and, should they attempt it without constitutional authority, the act would be a nullity, and could not be enforced.
Today, unfortunately, most Americans see it the other way around. They believe that rights only exist when government gives them a permission slip. Or, when the Supreme Court says they exist…until the judges change their mind.
Their view is totally wrong.
That’s why we believe it’s so important to share the truth with as many people as possible. Short videos like the one below help us share this important message, with your help spreading the word, of course!
Michael Boldin [send him email] is the founder of the Tenth Amendment Center, where this article first appeared. He was raised in Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Follow him on twitter – @michaelboldin and Facebook.
h/t Activist Post
Your Daily Briefing:
Fight Online Censorship!
Get the news Google and Facebook don't want you to see: Sign up for DC Dirty Laundry's daily briefing and do your own thinking!