Do we have a “right to privacy”?
Once again, this question seems relevant because some political leaders seem to think that privacy is not an inalienable* right.
A few years ago, I heard an “expert” on Fox News say that “the Constitution has no right to privacy.” He then said to look at the Bill of Rights and see if there is a “right to privacy.” Many years ago in an episode entitled “The Ring”, Fred Thompson’s character on the TV show “Law and Order” made the same argument; he literally held the Bill of Rights and asked where the “right to privacy” was mentioned. The claim upset me then. But hearing it from a “conservative” on Fox News is outrageous!
Until the birth of the United States, “people were made to serve kings, not kings to serve the people. . ." Federalist Paper #45 [paragraph 2]**
This meant that the people had no rights; the ruler had all the rights. Then the ruler granted some rights to the people.
“Bills of rights are agreements between kings and their subjects. They reserve to citizens the rights not surrendered to the king. The Magna Charta is an example. Barons with swords in their hands made King John sign. Succeeding princes confirmed the Magna Charta. The Petition of Right agreed to by Charles the First is an example. So is the Declaration of Rights presented to the Prince of Orange in 1688. Parliament then made it the ‘Bill of Rights’." Federalist Paper #84 [paragraph 8]**
Sometimes I feel like the concept that “all men are created equal” is such a recent concept in human history that it is still difficult for people to understand what it means. Some people still act like other people have a right to tell them what to do and how they must live.
The United States Constitution recognizes the all of our rights are given to every one of us by God. None of our rights are given to us by the Constitution. The Constitution, and federal, state, and local laws limit our rights. Only the Constitution and constitutional laws can limit are rights; the President and governors do not create laws and have no authority to limit our rights.
"The proposed Constitution is founded on the power of the people. The people's representatives will execute it. Therefore, a bill of rights doesn't belong in the Constitution. The people surrender nothing. And they keep everything. Specific reservations are not needed." Federalist Paper #84 [paragraph 8]**
Therefore, my governor has no authority to tell me to wear a specific piece of clothing. Or force me to get a vaccine. These are private decisions.
Of course, I am also talking about liberty. [The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.]
“History teaches us that of the men who have overturned the liberties of republics, most began their career by proclaiming their devotion to the people. They gain position by arousing people’s prejudices and end as tyrants.” Federalist Paper #1 [paragraph 5]**
This truth is so perfectly explained that I can’t find a better way to state it. My governor has required face masks and closed businesses and schools because she says she is “devoted to the people”. But the United States was founded on the belief that “the people” are intelligent and can decide what is best for themselves.
* “Rights that are not transferable or capable of being taken away or nullified.”
**The Federalist Papers: Modern English Edition Two: Webster, Mary E.: 9781434842190: Amazon.com: Books