When did people stop fighting for their rights?

Question

It seems like people just would rather put up with all the coruption in our system then rather fight for the rights we once had. Everyone seems to want to put up with all the problems that our law system has created and they don't even try to say anything anymore. Why? Is it because people are afraid of what the government will do to them? Should we be afraid? So what happened that we no longer live in a free country? Seems kind of fascist to me. What do you think?

Answer 1

Well......I see it kinds differently.....it seems like EVERYone is fighting for their rights, and d**n the consequences to the rest!  If you sneeze because of something in the air, you now have the right to sue smokers and industries for putting dirty air out there........if you get burned by hot food, you have the right to sue the server, establishment, and the food producers....

Seems to me more like everyone's more worried about their rights and who will pay for them instead of just taking responsibility for themselves.

Answer 2

Maybe because we already have most of the rights we want.  I can only think of one thing I would like to do that the government won't allow, but fear of prosecution prevents me from making a fuss about it.  So, I've adopted a "Don't Ask; Don't Tell" policy about it.  I do what I want anyway and hope I don't get caught.  This strategy has been working for me for more than a decade so far.

Answer 3

Some time in the 80s. It's been decades now. Go to a protest sometime, you'll see the age break. Most of the protesters now are retirees!  

Answer 4

Honestly, what rights are you looking for? I feel like all my rights are present, no restraints. Maybe you should provide some examples in particular that we can discuss.  

Answer 5

I don't feel any of my rights are being violated, so why the big deal???

Answer 6

I asked the same question to my husband! and his answer was - "there's nothing you can do about it"! and my reply was - "Sure, if everybody just sits on their butts and don't speak up"!!! I think people are afraid to start rocking the boat!  Same thing about speaking your mind in public what you really think of Bush!!! If there are laws for us to follow, then I would say it isn't a free country anymore!! And believe me, it's going to get worse! There's supposed to be a separation of Church and State - but look whose making all these laws!!

Answer 7

Several of the answers here highlight the problem.  No one believes in principles anymore.  They only care about what affects them directly.

As for me, I'm not a criminal but I believe in due process.  I have nothing to hide but I believe in privacy rights.  I'm straight but I support g*y marriage.  I don't smoke pot but I believe in legalization.  I could go on and on with these but you get the point.  And there are a bunch that do affect me: I want lower taxes, less government, no censorship, the ability to spend my own money as I see fit, etc.

Answer 8

When they stopped caring about others!

Answer 9

they are skeered of their credit report and would rather put up with the government hoping they will get bailed out. - (sarcasm)

Break that Thin Blue Line and you will see the corruption. I don't know of other places, but at home - http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/20... - and by precedence - http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0... - so much for the war on drugs - http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/...

Answer 10

I've gotta assume you're in the US, because I know exactly what you mean.

You know, it's been really gradual over time, and, unfortunately, if you weren't there to witness it, it's difficult to see.

But, no, we should not be afraid.  In fact, the climate of fear and paranoia we've cultivated here over the last thirty years is much of the problem.  Too the point were we're willing to sell out most of our constitutional rights, and nobody even protests.  (Well, not many, anyway.)  Because there may be terrorists.

And there are terrorists.  But throwing out a suspect's civil rights doesn't reduce the number of terrorists.  It only increases the chance that someone innocent will be deprived of their rights.

Unfortunately, not enough people care about anything that isn't directly affecting them at that moment.  For that, I blame the rise in greed and materialism that began in the 80's.  It has cultivated a whole selfish climate, in which it's too acceptable to dismiss the suffering and injustice inflicted on others.

Unfortunately, I think this is a cycle that the United States (and other civilizations though out history) are doomed to repeat.  It's not until times get tough all over, and everyone can see the repression for themselves, that people will really work together for change.

Because it's not until you have nothing to loose that enough people stop being afraid of what the government, or anyone else, will do.