Should we put country ahead of individual rights?

No

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by Joseph Whalen

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Should we put country ahead of individual rights?

There is an ill defined line between individual rights and what is best for the country. On one hand the individual rights afforded to citizens of this great country define what this country is all about. Alternatively the great freedoms that we enjoy as Americans can quickly and easily be turned against us by those looking to do us harm. Determining which is more important is an exercise in self-examination. Making that difficult choice also requires that we be prepared to accept the responsibilities and the consequences that a demanded of having such broad individual rights.

The very freedoms which we cherish also put us at the most risk. Foreign powers and terrorist groups that would lash out at us as a nation would do so because of the freedoms and rights that we have. Whether it is because of a level of frustration at not having such freedoms themselves or whether it is because our way of life is a threat to their matters little. Regardless of the reasons tyrants and scoundrels give for their anti-American violence and dissent the fact of the matter is that to be an American and to enjoy the freedoms that we do we have to make a target of ourselves.

Despite the billions of dollars in foreign aid that we as American tax payers are responsible for funding around the world we are a common and popular target for the ire of many people around the globe. We are also an easy target because of the attitude of superiority that we as a nation carry ourselves with. Forever referring to ourselves as the last great super power we are quick to involve ourselves in other countries affairs. The first to rush to assistance when disaster strikes around the world we take advantage of our humanitarian tendencies to impose our will and beliefs on other countries whether it is solicited or not.

Founded on the principles of self government and government by the people and for the people, this countries ultimate strength is in the individual rights and freedoms that we enjoy, not in any complex economic model or military measure. Our individual freedoms are what make us who we are today as individuals and as a nation. It is these very freedoms and rights that others want to threaten. Terrorist groups, third world dictators and former super powers understand that to restrict our freedoms and rights means to change the way America works and alters what has made us a great nation. Our indomitable spirit and freedom would be nothing should we let a foreign entity steal those individual rights from us.

By exercising our individual rights and embracing those along with whatever consequences they may lead to we make this nation stronger. Surrendering to the fear mongering and power hungry salivations of some of our political leaders who resort to scare tactics as a means to justify chipping away at our freedoms is one guaranteed way of letting the foreign aggressors win. No one can do more damage to this country then the very politicians that we elect ourselves. Only through legislation can our freedoms be taken away and our rights trampled upon. Regardless of how many buildings terrorist blow up, or how many nuclear weapons a third rate country like North Korea might build, none of these threatens us more than the ignorance of our own politicians. Politicians who would steal you fundamental rights away from you under the guise of "national security" just as soon as look at you. If you are ever asked to choose between your country and your individual rights, know that your individual rights are always what is best for this country.

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