Every American has the Privilege to Vote...

[unclebilly]

Ok so I've sat back and watched since 9-11 while Americans have unknowingly had their rights and civil liberties stripped away from them from under their noses in the name of freedom...

The thing that struck a cord with me today was a quote from George Dubyah after he voted... he said something like 'Every American has the PRIVILEGE to vote'... I thought that every American has the RIGHT to vote.

Perhaps the right to vote is the latest in a long list of freedoms American Citizens have had to give up in the name of Freedom / Homeland Security.

[on-ramp]

care to explain the differences between PRIVILEGE and RIGHT?

in other words, who cares if it's called one or the other? you still vote and the outcome is the same.

[unclebilly]

Privilege is something that can be taken away and is possibly earned.

Some definitions:
1. a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most: the privileges of the very rich.
2. a special right, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to free them from certain obligations or liabilities: the privilege of a senator to speak in Congress without danger of a libel suit.
3. a grant to an individual, corporation, etc., of a special right or immunity, under certain conditions.
4. the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities


A right is something that can not be taken away.

Some more definitions:
18. a just claim or title, whether legal, prescriptive, or moral: You have a right to say what you please.
19. Sometimes, rights. that which is due to anyone by just claim, legal guarantees, moral principles, etc.: women's rights; Freedom of speech is a right of all Americans.
20. adherence or obedience to moral and legal principles and authority.
21. that which is morally, legally, or ethically proper: to know right from wrong.
22. a moral, ethical, or legal principle considered as an underlying cause of truth, justice, morality, or ethics.

I guess my definition of a privilege is a special right that is only granted to a select folowing wheras a right is something common to all citizens.

[unclebilly]

I guess an easy analogy we can all relate to is something like, Grandpa got old so they took away his driving privileges but when he became senile they still let him vote.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by on-ramp
care to explain the differences between PRIVILEGE and RIGHT?

Care to consult a dictionary?

[red-beard]

It can be taken away. Convicted felons are not allowed to vote. Most of us are eligible by birth, but my wife and my mother had to earn it.

So yes, privilege is correct.

[unclebilly]

That's interesting. In Canada, if you are a Canadian citizen you have the right to vote and this right can't be taken away. Even our convicted felons get to vote.

[gaijindabe]

Originally posted by unclebilly
Ok so I've sat back and watched since 9-11 while Americans have unknowingly had their rights and civil liberties stripped away from them from under their noses in the name of freedom...

Errr Ummm - like which ones? Please inform this "unknowing" person.

The only time I have been impeded in my personal freedom and travels since 9-11 was in front of a customs and immigration officer in Vancouver. Traveling for work, with a clear agenda, place I am staying and timeframe - I have to listen to this twit lecture me on "no access to heathcare" and other questions and drivel for 10 minutes. If she was not such a bit*h - it would have benn funny..

[fastpat]

Originally posted by unclebilly
Ok so I've sat back and watched since 9-11 while Americans have unknowingly had their rights and civil liberties stripped away from them from under their noses in the name of freedom...

The thing that struck a cord with me today was a quote from George Dubyah after he voted... he said something like 'Every American has the PRIVILEGE to vote'... I thought that every American has the RIGHT to vote.

Perhaps the right to vote is the latest in a long list of freedoms American Citizens have had to give up in the name of Freedom / Homeland Security.

Voting in both America and Canada is a privilege in that it is a construct of the existence of government. Who can vote is restricted, a classic part of a privilege and not a right.

A right is something that is without legitimate restriction. Freedom of speack, religion, press, and self defense are all rights; in that all government restrictions on any of them are illegitimate.

[unclebilly]

OK, so how do you have a true democracy if only a select few (and in this case the select few is the majority of the country but apparently not everyone) are allowed to vote?

With respect to rights that have been stripped away, you can now be held in custody without reason if you are merely suspected as a terrorist. Have you travelled lately, there are all sorts of new rules that 10 years ago would have bordered on an infringement of personal freedoms.

[john70t]

Unclebilly, does the government in your country have the right to search your car, break into your house, look through your correspondence with your doctor and attorney, and actively establish means of electronic surveilance on all people, all without a warrent?

[fastpat]

Originally posted by unclebilly
OK, so how do you have a true democracy if only a select few (and in this case the select few is the majority of the country but apparently not everyone) are allowed to vote?

So, if I visit Canada I can vote in any election held while I'm there?

No, I thought not.

With respect to rights that have been stripped away, you can now be held in custody without reason if you are merely suspected as a terrorist. Have you travelled lately, there are all sorts of new rules that 10 years ago would have bordered on an infringement of personal freedoms.

We know that we have problems with government here, the issue in this thread as I see it, is that you do not realize that you have the same problems, or much worse, in Canada.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by unclebilly
That's interesting. In Canada, if you are a Canadian citizen you have the right to vote and this right can't be taken away. Even our convicted felons get to vote.

See, you got it backwards once more up there...down here convicted felons cannot vote, but the dead and illgal aliens do vote. Shows how much more "progressive" the USA is than Canada...

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by unclebilly
OK, so how do you have a true democracy if only a select few (and in this case the select few is the majority of the country but apparently not everyone) are allowed to vote?

With respect to rights that have been stripped away, you can now be held in custody without reason if you are merely suspected as a terrorist. Have you travelled lately, there are all sorts of new rules that 10 years ago would have bordered on an infringement of personal freedoms.

That is where you are wrong, we are not a democracy, we are a republic, there is a difference, check it out!!