Do we need all these rights?
459480
They wanted to make George WASHINGTON a king, but he didn't want it. He knew better. He'd be blamed for anything that went wrong anyway, and if his heirs were in power, they would suffer for it. \n\nWhat if the government made a mistake? Or what if the next king was lazy or selfish or cruel? Hereditary government only works if the ruler is responsible. Bad rulers make life hell for the people. \n\nBy the same token, any system of government needs a way of being corrected (or overthrown) if they don't do their job. There is no guarantee that a republic (like America, as the pledge to the flag clearly states) or democracies (like Communist countries) will be any better than the people they are made of. \n\nI am not going to address some of the specific points in your question, because I think you know this already, you are not serious in asking; you are just trying to be thought-provoking.\n\nAs we have seen in our own lifetime, even in Commmunist countries that began with the best of intentions, power acted to preserve itself and the people in power acted to maximize their influence. They began on the assumptions that people were inherently good and willing to share, and that they only needed to be educated. The governments of those nations fell because those are false assumptions.\n\nThey became Communist dictatorships like Cuba, and when they had taken over all the miliatry power so that the people could not revolt directly, there was no other way but to wait until they collapsed internally under the weight of the unrealistic economic predictions of their own system: You see, there were not enough barbarians outside and they had seen to it that they could not generate their own internal barbarians, and so they had to wait until they grew weak enough to collapse at the touch of market forces. \n\nTry talking to someone who lived under a totalitarian regime, and they will tell you how much better America is. Try to call America an oppressive regime and those who have actually lived under them will laugh in your face.
65986
Of course our rights stem from the Bill of Rights which amended the Constitution.  However, and more importantly, our rights are preserved by the "Rule of Law" and that depends on our Court system being independent of Congress or the Whitehouse.  Many countries had constitutions, lawyers and elections but lost their freedom when they lost the rule of law.  Nazi Germany is a good example.  I know of investors who shy away from investments in Russia today because they doubt that the rule of law there will protect their rights.  perhaps things will change for the better.
1024319
This country has already fallen apart and is in chaos.  It is only a matter of time as to when we are under complete UN control and lose the rest of our Constiutional protected rights.\n\nIn Liberty, peace and love,\nEric H. Smith\nwww.erichsmith.com
884002
They need rights because everyone needs rights.\n\nWe can't discriminate against children. We have to protect them because they can't decide for themselves.\n\nThe only have the same rights that we all have - but they have some special consideration for their vunerability.\n\nDo you need rights? Or can someone sell you into slavery?
599767
all, we lose all our rights already.
829991
Thanks for bringing up this important issue.\nMost of the things you mentioned have beneficial uses.  The danger if they are misused.  I think the Bush administration has demonstrated how our rights can be undermined.  They are talking of retaining the prisoners in Cuba for the rest of their lives, without charges or benefit of legal defense.\nThe only way to protect our rights is to participate in the process of government.  I hope anyone who reads this is ready to defend liberty with their vote on the 7th.
691105
Everyone was given free will. We all have the right. I don't belive it's healthy or productive, but we have the right!
970950
This is the way it is for the Swiss, get enough names and you can have a referendum.\n\nOwing to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty a binding referendum cannot be held in the UK.\n\nAs for rights I'm not sure we have any rights, by right. Who gives us them? You only get what you push for.
1178322
we need anarchy, anarchy is real equality, look at cops and other gov't people, they have more rights then us civilians. Anarchy, Peace, Equality
291958
no the bill of rights is just a document declaring our independance from england and our god given rights as citzens. If anything the immigration bill would go on the constitution if need be!
247680
you need to set other people to have more rights
106227
Gee, if there were only some kind of, oh I don't know, CONSTITUTION... or BILL OF RIGHTS.\nSeems like that would help.
785619
Basicly, we have no rights left. The government can take away all of our privacy, and it's "legal" under this bill.
102069
People could talk about that for hours. I'll try to be short and to go to the essential.\n\nThe right to live is a basic Human Right, no matter who you are and what you've done.\n\nAlmost all democratic countries in the world agree with that, except very few of them (no comment on them!).
133942
I am going to leave this question open ended.  I was going to say that what makes this country so great is that it enables us the ability to speak up and tell our elected officials what is wrong and that something needs to be fixed.  However I can see a minor encroachment on our civil liberties when it comes to our National Security.  I do not believe that any of our rights should be take away, but I believe that we live in different times now.  It is sort of an unfortunate thing.
724105
We should devote our time equally to human and animal rights.  One should not be more important than the other, seeing as they are both very important.  \nAnimal rights are important because:\n1. WE ARE ALL ANIMALS (those of you who took biology know this)\n2.  OUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON THEIR SURVIVAL\n3. SOME FEEL WHAT WE FEEL
480478
No because there should be a right to free medical care (as in the British Health Service) and to free education throughout life (Life-Long Learning).\n\nWhat bothers me is that some people have to pay, when it should be free for everyone as of right in a civilised society.