FA_Q2
Gold Member
- Thread starter
- #141
This one statement is key to we are talking about and at the center of what I believe in. To my core, I believe that government exists to protect my rights and above all, I see that as the reason this nation came into existence in the first place. People came here escaping persecution and perusing freedom. Freedom that can only be attained with a government that such is the paramount purpose of its existence.
It depends on what one means by government.
If by government one is including the courts, then yes, to a degree.
But its not the fundamental responsibility of the legislative or administrative components of government to protect ones rights, its the responsibility of both those entities to act in a manner consistent with the Constitution, and their acts are assumed to be Constitutional until such time as a court says otherwise. However, it is not uncommon for government to act in such a manner that may conflict with individual liberty, where government believes its acting in a manner consistent with public safely or policy.
When government acts in such a manner we believe is in violation of our civil liberties, citizens may access the Federal courts to seek relief from such excess; the courts belong to the people, it is the venue in which they exercise their First Amendment right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
And herein we have a fundamental disagreement as to what the purpose of the government is. I do not agree with your contention that the Judicial branch is the sole protector of our rights. The legislative branch is just as important in that role.
I must ask, what is it that you believe is the purpose of government? I am asking about the government as a whole, not just one piece of the government.