01.11.

23, 10:21 Your Rights | People's Rights - Claim, Use, Defend

Your Rights!
There are Rights, and there are Privileges... and they're not the same thing.

Because you are a human, and not an animal or a plant, you are unique among living creatures on
Earth. You have intelligence and ability that surpasses the intelligence and ability of every other living
thing on this planet. Because of this, you have certain rights and responsibilities that other living things
do not. You have claim upon certain things that other living things do not, and with that claim you have
a stewardship that accompanies it. These facts are quite obvious, and can be easily understood when
explained in simple terms.
As a human being, you have certain ‘unalienable’ rights, or claims that can be made upon items
essential to your humanity. Sometimes these rights are also described as ‘fundamental’, or ‘basic’. No
matter how they are described, it is important to note that they are absolutely essential to meaningful
human existence, and cannot be infringed upon without committing a universal crime against the
individual. Those familiar at all with U.S. history may recognize that these rights were formally (and only)
declared in The Declaration of Independence, and later expounded upon by the Bill of Rights. Let it be
understood, however, that the declaration of these rights didn’t at all create them, for they existed and
were held by all human beings that ever lived on the earth long before any form of government was
ever organized.
A clear general (known by all) knowledge of these fundamental rights and responsibilities is essential to
the continued existence of a free, prosperous and peaceful society. Let’s discuss for a moment what
these basic human rights are, and what they are not. There are only three – so it won’t take long. ;-) All
other associated rights are merely derived from these initial, foundational pillars – the value of each
dependent upon the coexistence of the other two.

 The Right to Life

Believe it or not, because you are human, you
have a right to live. No other living thing (human,
creature, plant or otherwise) has a higher claim
upon your life than you do. It is yours, and yours
alone, and it cannot be threatened or taken
without serious legal and eternal consequences.
To believe otherwise removes all value and
purpose to life itself. Each person that exists on
Earth holds this same exact right to their own life.
With that life comes your time, individuality,
thoughts, creative energy and talents. Any action
by another that prevents, or attempts to prevent,
you from living violates your right to Life.

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 The Right to Liberty

Because you exist (thanks to your right to life), you have something called ‘agency’. You have exclusive
claim upon directing your life – to make choices for yourself in how you use your time, energy and
talents. No one else can, or should, violate this right. You should make your own choices, based on your
own understanding, morals and system of beliefs. Sometimes others, regardless of their supposed best
intentions (which, by the way, make poor paving material), try to make decisions for us – either by
deciding what is ‘right’ for us, or by removing all possible ‘wrong’ choices from our selection. Any kind of
act that prevents YOU from deciding what’s best for YOU violates your right to be free.

 The Right to Exclusive Ownership and Control of Property

While the same wording was not used in the Declaration of Independence, the sentiment most certainly
was. Instead, the words “pursuit of happiness” were penned, since Thomas Jefferson (even though a
slave owner himself) understood the value of human life (including the rights of man) and didn’t want to
encourage the practice any further under the new form of government the Founders were hoping to
establish. Just like every other human on Earth, you have the right to exclusively own and control your
property. Property includes things like your home, your vehicles, your animals, your money, your time
and talent. It especially includes your own body, and what you choose to put (or NOT to put) in it. You
have an individual right to control your own property – which, by the way, just so happens to be the
product of your life and liberty. Simple: Life + Liberty = Property. Life + Liberty = pro S perty

The three primary rights just mentioned are absolutely crucial to your existence. Without Life - Liberty
and Property are worth nothing. Without Liberty (the power to direct Life and Property) – the others
have little value to the individual. And, without the exclusive ownership and control over Property, the
purpose and value of Life and Freedom would be made void. All other ‘rights’ claimed in a civilized
society are (and must) be derived from one, or a combination of, these basic, fundamental, human
rights. It should be recognized that animals and plants do not share these same rights. Animals do not
have a right to life, liberty or the ownership and control of property (they are property). Plants do not
have a right to life, liberty or property (they are property). Dirt and rocks do not…. okay, you get the
picture. ;-)
Now, a word concerning the Source of your Rights. Those with faith will readily acknowledge that their
rights as humans were granted to them by a higher intelligence when they themselves were created for
a mortal experience here on Earth. But… what if you don’t believe in a higher power? What if you’re an
Atheist or Agnostic? Don't you have the same rights as everyone else? The answer is an obvious, “Of
course!” Whether you believe your rights came from God, or not, doesn't change the fact that they exist
and are of paramount importance in society, and in your relation to government. The fact is – and no
one can successfully argue otherwise – that human rights existed long before government ever did. So,
anyone telling you that your rights came from the Constitution, or some law, or because some
bureaucrat granted them to you is selling something, and it isn't freedom. It should be understood,
however, that in America the Constitution of the United States was established in order to secure these
rights to those that lived within its protection, and to future generations that were fortunate enough to
be born in, or brought to this land.
Remember: You hold the same basic rights as every other human being on the planet. It’s crucial to
also understand that Rights do not overlap. If someone else has a right to a specific something, then
you do not. Likewise, if you have a right to a specific something, then no one else does. That is the
essence of a ‘right’. When it comes to human action, you should be free to act (make any choice you
want to make concerning your own body and/or property) within your own sphere, so long as you do
not prevent someone else from doing the exact same thing with their own rights. This understanding is
the responsibility mentioned above that is associated with such rights.

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You DO Have The Right

Since things can still be a little confusing sometimes, let's discuss in greater detail a few of the other
things you have a right to, thanks to the three basic rights mentioned above. Remember, all other
humans have these same rights, and your right to do the following things shouldn't in any way prohibit
someone else from doing these same things. Your rights stop where theirs begin. And, likewise, their
rights stop where yours begin.

 
WORK AND BE PRODUCTIVE
Since you have a right to be free, you have a
right to decide how to use your mind, time,
energy and talents. You have a right to work
and produce a good or service that others
desire. If you have your own business, only
YOU should decide how it's run. If you work
for someone else, no one else should
prohibit you from going to work when asked
to.
FEED YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
No matter the price of food at the nearby
supermarket, you have the right to grow your
own food. Whether it's livestock, or a garden,
the earth is fully capable of producing
enough food for the hungry, many times
over.

 
TRAVEL & MOVE SPEAK YOUR MIND
As explicitly penned in the U.S. Constitution, Regardless of the existence of "Free Speech
you have a right to travel, and no one should Zones", you have a right to have your own
stop you. If you want to walk across the opinion, and to express it. Others may or
entire country, you are free to do so. To may not listen (they can make that choice for
prohibit you from doing otherwise would be themselves), but you have a right to use your
equal to imprisonment. lips or fingers to say whatever it is you have
to say to the world.

 

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FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR BE LEFT ALONE

When you labor (whether it's primarily
physical or mental), you produce something;
typically a product or service for someone
else that desires it. You trade your time,
energy and/or skills for something else that
you see as having greater value or benefit to
you. When you willingly give up whatever is
required in your work, your right to it was
transferred to whatever you received in
exchange for your work. Your "fruit" may
come from the hard work in your orchard.
Or, it may be the meat you receive from your
neighbor in exchange for the fresh
vegetables from your garden. Or, it may be
the paycheck your employer gives you after a
hard two weeks at the factory. Whatever it is,
it's the fruit of your labor, and you have an
exclusive right to own and control it.
Unless you're violating the rights of someone
else, no other person has a right to your
attention. Like everyone else, you have the
right to decide with whom you associate.
While naturally social creatures, we still have
a right to decide whom we will communicate
or be around. Some people decide they
don't want to be around others, or give their
attention to someone or something else.
And, that's just fine. We each have a right to
be left alone, and live our lives free of
harassment from others.

 
DEFEND YOURSELF MAINTAIN YOUR RIGHTS
Because you have a right to life, you have a To learn more about how to maintain your
right to defend that life, no matter what it rights, visit the Maintaining Rights page.
takes. You also have a responsibility to come
to the defense of others; your family,
neighbors and even complete strangers.
MAINTAIN YOUR RIGHTS!
Why? Because if something or someone is
threatening them, it could very well threaten
you next. Your safety and well being are
ultimately your responsibility.
 A government big enough to give you everything you want, is
strong enough to take everything you have.

Lesson: Be careful what you ask for.

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You DON'T Have The Right

Yes, there are some things in life that we just don't have a right to. Some of these things mentioned
below may come as quite a surprise. But whenever something of interest enters your mind, ask
yourself if having or doing that thing requires the time, energy and/or productive talents of someone
else in order for you to have or do it. If it does... then you don't have a right to it.

 
SUCCESS
It would be great if everyone was a "winner".
But, the fact is, everyone isn't. Sometimes
there are people that lose. The game of life
is riddled with risks. Some are wise, and
make good choices. Others are not, and
make poor choices. Sometime even timing
has a significant effect. We each have agency
to make our own choices. Because of this,
no one else can be blamed for our wrong
choice or when we decided to act in a certain
way. Regardless of where we start out in life,
we can choose to make correct choices, and
benefit from them, or make poor choices and
suffer the natural consequences. We learn
and grow using two methods: 1) By making
and correcting mistakes, or 2) Learning from
others' mistakes, and avoiding them
ourselves. Good things in life (whether
material, social, financial or otherwise) often
come from making correct choices. You
don't have a right to succeed unless you
make correct choices.
HEALTH CARE
While this may seem a bit contradictory, it's
actually quite clear when put in the right
light. You have a right to live, there's no
question there. However, if something else
(disease, age, accident or otherwise) happens
to be affecting such, do you have a right to
demand the time, energy or talents (aka,
"services") of others in the medical world to
help you sustain that life? Absolutely not.
Because your life is yours, and yours alone,
you are ultimately responsible for its care. As
the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention
(your part) is worth a pound of cure (their
part)." If you choose to ignore the known
requirements to sustain that life, you do so at
your own peril. In addition, sometimes "life
happens", and we are subject to physical or
mental trials. Remember above all, life's
risky... you could die from it! :-)

 
ANOTHER PERSON'S PROPERTY

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We have gone over this before, but just in
case... NO person has the right to take or use
another person's property without their
consent. This would include
money, physical property or even another
person's time and labor.
Just because someone else may want it or
even need it, does not make it their right to
take it. This applies the same for those who
work in government and those who do not.
 
INTERNET ACCESS
Regardless of what prominent politicians may
think or claim, access to the Internet, or
even fast Internet, is not essential to life. The
Internet is a super complex network, made
up of millions of devices, and
constantly requires the productive efforts
and amazing talents of other folks to
maintain it. Therefore you do not have a
right to have the Internet. Sorry. However, if
you pay a service provider for access, great!
That's the way it should be, since they have to
hire lots of geeks to keep the thing running
smoothly, and "your" YouTube videos flowing.
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NEVER BE OFFENDED
Believe it or not, YOU control how you feel.
Only YOU can decide if something or
someone offends you. Because of this fact
(and because you cannot directly control how
others choose to use their liberty) you don't
have a right to prevent others from doing
things that naturally offend you. Being
offended over the actions or words of others
is just a choice, and never warrants injustice
toward others simply for using their freedom
differently than you do.
TO BE SERVED
Even though a business owner has their
doors open to the public, and generally
wishes to provide their goods and/or services
to the public, doesn't mean they have, in any
way, given up their natural unalienable right
to withhold such. A private business owner
has every right to refuse their products or
services to anyone, at any time, and for any
reason they wish (disclosed or not).
Businesses are simply made up of individual
free people, operating together with a
common name and purpose. No one has a
right to demand they provide their goods or
services to those they wish not to. Period.
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