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Nov. 11, 2004 Rights. My rights, your rights, everybody’s rights. We hear a chorus of voices daily, all claiming one or more of their individual rights has been taken away, broached, or otherwise put upon. We use the term, “my rights” loosely it seems to me. What exactly are “my rights, your rights, everybody’s rights?” The only rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution are “inalienable rights” such as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” There are legislated “rights” which include our freedom of religion, our “right” to keep and bear arms and our “right” to unreasonable search and seizure. There are other legislated “rights” in our Constitution, including the most important “right” of all, the “right” to vote. I won’t, however, bore you with a listing at this juncture. My purpose in this dissertation is to point out one fact only. The “rights” of each of us as Americans is limited. We have no “right” to a job or to drive a car. We have no “right” to marry or be provided with health care, food, shelter, clothing or tickets to the World Series for that matter. We have the “inalienable right” to pursue happiness. This magnificent piece of Real Estate known as The United States of America gives us all the OPPORTUNITY, FREEDOM and LIBERTY to exploit our intellect and talent without fear of reprisal by government or citizen. Think for a moment on the greatness of that gift. Let us pray in the coming years our citizens begin to concentrate on obligations as opposed to so-called “rights.” The next fifty years will spell our survival or destruction. We have an uphill battle because our school system has failed miserably in the last twenty-five years. We now have a citizenry of thirty-somethings who have trouble with reading and spelling, grammar and mathematics. Most of those graduating high school this year will graduate without KNOWING how to read, spell or calculate without the use of a computer or calculator. If you have a child in high school and doubt my veracity, conduct a simple test. Jot down a column of numbers, 123+329+etc, say eight factors in all. Ask your child to add these figures and multiply the sum times 9. If he/she can accomplish the task you are extremely lucky. I think if we concentrate on living the principles expounded by the definition of words like RESPONSIBILITY, OBLIGATION, LOVE, CHERISH, TRUST, PERSONAL CHARITY AND CHARACTER we will not only survive, we will triumph and be truly free and at peace. That’s just my opinion and it’s the only one I’m qualified to give. ------------ About the author James B. Bergstad: I've explored this planet for sixty-six years. For the most part it's been a blast. I now indulge my passions of reading, writing and painting. My novel "Hyde's Corner" is awaiting publication. It is a taut period/drama set in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Sheriff Selmer Burks presides over the destruction of three families and the corruption of Hyde's Corner. Email: captflash@astound.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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