[clue-talk] The stimulus bill

[Jed S. Baer]

On Fri, 6 Feb 2009 16:42:27 -0700
Nate Duehr wrote:

> 4. The defense of the country (a standing military) is something that's
> a Constitutionally protected right for all Citizens, just like having a
> defense attorney in CRIMINAL cases.  (No public defenders for CIVIL
> cases, of course.)

Nope. Sorry, but there is not right to be protected. Of course, a
discussion of rights as an abstract or even real construct is a terrible
hijack of this thread, but ...

We The People, in consituting this nation, ceded certain powers to the
government, and gave it jobs to do. Defending the borders is one such
job. However, that does not confer a right. Perhaps an entitlement, but
not a right.

Consider, if giving the government a job can result in something becoming
a right, then if we foolishly decide the government should provide or
"pay for" health care, then suddenly health care becomes a right. Same
thing for "everyone has a right to a job" or housing, or pet salamanders.

Also, the gentlemen who founded this country were, for the most part,
extremely distrustful of standing armies. The idea was that the Congress
would have the power to call upon the militia when necessary. So, defense
of country was more of a duty upon all able-bodied men.

jed