Individual Rights and Public Order

Running Head: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND PUBLIC ORDER

Individual Rights and Public Order

Benjamin Cesulka

University Of Texas

Individual Rights and Public Order

Individual rights are those rights we have that allow us to exercise our freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, originally drafted in 1789 by James Madison, came into effect in 1791 (Wikipedia 2007). The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not construe to deny or disparage others retained by the people. These rights became the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. These rights have been the cornerstone of American Law then and still are today without these rights, this country would not have become the democracy it is today, and a land where individuals would be subject to a stricter, more dictatorial government.

Individual rights are those rights that allow us to live our day-to-day lives without fear of government intervention, unless of course we break the law or violate one of these rights.

United States

United States

United States

Among them are freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, protecting citizens from unreasonable search and seizure, cruel and unusual punishment, and self-incrimination. Imagining our lives today without these rights is impossible. As America expands its role around the globe, we see that other countries do not share our belief in individual rights. We see how lucky we are to afford such rights and freedoms. In fact, many countries have rulers who are still keeping their citizens oppressed and underprivileged. They believe that this action keeps their citizens in line because they do not have the individual right to protest or speak out. Knowing the harm that is incurred by this, I am reminded of a quote from John Adams.

John Adams said, "When people talk of the freedom of...