Why do so many Americans WANT their rights to be taken away?

Question

I don't understand the alarming trend that more and more Americans WANT to give up their rights.

Examples? Here are just a few:

- Wanting guns banned (IMHO, the 2nd amendment protects all the rest)

- Mandatory spay/neuter of pets (do you really want the government more involved in telling you what you can and cannot do with your possessions? not to mention it would be impossible to enforce and would be a waste of our tax dollars)

- No religion allowed in schools (I thought this country was based on religious freedom? Not the banning of all religious practices in public.)

Why are Americans TRYING to get their rights taken away? Do these people even realize the potential precedent they are setting?

Answer 1

Except for gun control those are not rights that you are talking about... the idea of having animals spay/neutered is to prevent all the unwanted animals that end up on the street and in Animal Services that end up being euthanized.. it has nothing to do with breeding your animals...

Freedom of Religion is a Right in the US... which means ALL Religions.. There are schools that are set up for certain religions but in Public School the emphasis is on education not religion... why have Christianity in schools that Jewish, Muslims, or Atheist go to... Religion is kept best in the home and teaching of it in the home.. there are to many different Religions in the US to bring it into the schools

While we do need Gun Control.. the government shouldn't take away any Law Biding Citizens right to carry a gun

Answer 2

I absolutely have a problem with all the scenarios you described.  I absolutely think that rules are in place for a reason, but some of the things that are happening all fall back on people's lack of responsibility.  The constitution says that we with rights comes responsibility... I don't think that my right should be infringed upon because of some jack@$$es...

In all the examples you gave it's about responsibility.

Guns, it is not the LAW OBIDING citizens who are a problem, it is criminals.  You can do just as much damage with a knife as a gun but if you can't protect yourself where does that leave you?  I believe there should be more punishment for those who illegally own or carry guns, it's not fair that I be punished because some jerkoff left his gun loaded where his baby could reach it, or left it in a place that his 5yr old could find it and play with it.  If you take away guns from responsible citizens, the only people who will have guns are those that are already criminals and don't care in the first place....  Leaving us with no way for us to protect ourselves or our homes and families.  Its a right given to the responsible in the 2nd ammendment and should NOT be taken away.

Mandatory spay/neuter:

I agree, people should alter their pets.  However, it is not the governments decision to make.  If they're going to start doing that, they might as well start spayin/neutering the moronic population as well for the sake of humanity....  Animals are property, no matter how much you care about them and feel for them.  When someone starts telling me what I can and can't do with my property... It makes me angry.  All but one of my dogs are altered, and I'm going to neuter him, but how and when I do it should be up to me and it should be my decision, not the governments.

No religion in schools:

Again, I think many can benefit from learning about other religions in a textbook sitiuation.  I don't think it's fair to be denying kids knowledge they can use in the real world.  I believe it could make for a more understanding community.  I also believe it's wrong to not allow kids to bring whatever religious materials they choose to school and participate in clubs/functions that are religious.  This country is based on tolerance, it's not tolerance when atheists are being favored by disallowing religion.  I believe there has been a decline in societies moral values in the last 10-15 years and that is in part due to the idea that being religious is something to mock or feel ashamed of.  All religions teach moral values, I think they can only be a positive influence on society.

Another thing, I absolutely HATE breed specific legislation... I have dobermans, they are better trained, socialized and behaved than the majority of popular "family dogs" out there, I know more vicious labs than dobermans.  I don't think it's fair to me that I, a responsible owner, have my rights taken away because the governments interference in a negative way.  BSL doesn't fix anything, it only hurts, it is exactly like guns in that your not taking care of the problem which is irresponsible owners.  If you ban a breed of dog, the people that ignore that law are the ones that dont care in the first place, you can take a dozen dogs from them and euthanize those dogs, do you really think they care.  NO.  They will just go get another one.  The only people affected by these laws are the RESPONSIBLE and caring owners whos dogs arent the problem in the first place.  If legislators would pass more serious punishments on those that commit these crimes and who allow their dogs to be dangerous, they would stop.  

I have a SERIOUS issue with the government interfering in what I do.  When I learned about the constitution, I was taught that it was constructed in such a way that it couldn't interfere with a RESPONSIBLE individuals RIGHTS.

Answer 3

It's the Democrat way .It's right up there with Democrats claiming to be smarter then Republicans but wanting to vote in more Government ! Hypocrisy and stupidity at it's finest!

Answer 4

A particular political group has the daggers out for those issues.

Vote accordingly

Answer 5

the sp's want to control everything,thermostats in calif.cigarettes,food products,saturated fat intake.freedom of speech.assault rifles,1 gun a month purchases,illegal to own a hand gun. and yet they say they support freedom of choice and the constitution,what a joke.

Answer 6

I agree with you except for tha banning of religion in Public schools.

Public schools are funded by the government [obviously] and if they teach religion in public schools, then that means the Government is taeching religion and hence a breach of the First Ammendment.

Answer 7

It's because we live in a civilization. The mandatory spaying/neutering of pets must be like a city ordinance or something. It makes sense because it is the best thing to do for the community. What makes you think it's your RIGHT to let your cat produce a thousand stray kittens over its lifetime? That would turn into a big problem for your town.

Answer 8

I wish I knew Abbyful!  I can't understand what is wrong with people that they are SO afraid to educate themselves and take a position on ANYTHING.  I hate irresponsible breeders, but I hate the government stepping in and thinking they might know more than those of us who dedicate our lives to our breeds and telling us WE have to spay/neuter.  Therefore, the government should NEVER be gioven the ability to do so to ANY citizen who isn't breaking laws for humane treatment of their animals, no matter HOW much I disagree with their practices.

As for guns, here's a recent example from area.  I've made it brief, but it was widely publicized and anyone who wants more details just Google "Gary Rotz gun".  Mr. Rotz has a permit to carry.  He went to vote, and since he always carries, he wore his sidearm to the polling place.  It IS legal for him to do so, and it is ILLEGAL for law enforcement personnel to do so.  There was a state constale there who told Mr. Rotz he could not take his gun in and told him to leave it in the car.  Mr. Rotz knew the law, and disputed the constable's request.  Ultimately, the sheriff was called and conceded Mr. Rotz was withing his rights by law.  BUT a wek or two later, the sheriff ILLEGALLY pulled Mr. Rotz's license to carry!  It went to court, and Mr. Rotz was given his license back by the judge.  Problem is, it cost Mr. Rotz $3000 to get his day in court, which fortunately was raised in donations.  If he couldn't get the money, he wouldn't have gotten back his LEGAL RIGHTS!  That is BS.

So many folks don't think things will affect them and sleep though life in comnplacency.  I think we should go aobut poking at their nests with the truth, because if the truth ruffles the feathers of the ignorant masses, maybe they will wake up long enough to change their positions before drifting back into ignorant, blissful slumber.

Answer 9

I don't know that US citizens want their rights taken away. Some I guess just don't care as they don't see how it impacts them. I'll address your examples:

1. 2nd amendment - I agree

2. Spay/Neuter - I am not sure what rights you are referring to here.

3. I disagree with your point here. If you permit a religion to indoctrinate students in a government school, you establish that religion. Clearly violates the first amendment. When the school does not practice religion it violates the rights of no one. When the school practices any religion, it violates the rights of everyone that does not believe the same way.

Answer 10

right wing much?

Answer 11

Have you heard the latest from California. They are going to start installing new thermostats in all new buildings that that have an FM receiver in them so that SOMEONE else can control your the temperature in YOUR home. Talk about BIG BROTHER.

Answer 12

Because they want the government to take care of them from the cradle to the grave. Being responsible for their own is too much for many to handle. The 2nd Amendment does protect all of the others, and this country was based on religious freedom, but many either don't understand this or have forgotten.

Answer 13

Personally, I think it's a message of powerless that seems to be perpetuated especially in news. Eg. random person killed by stray bullet in shootout, gas prices spiraling rapidly out of control, Hurricanes, 9-11...

My feeling is that their first instinct is to try to hide away and shelter themselves, protect themselves by removing the things that they think harm them.

The odd thing is that if everyone would take on a sense of personal responsibility about this country, their lives, and others lives, most of these laws would be unnecessary. Yet, this country does not reward responsibility. I think a lot of people want to be told what to do, so that they don't have to be responsible if things go wrong.

Answer 14

Great question. I think the ACLU (American Communist Lawyers Union) or better known as (American Civil Liberties Union) makes about as much sense as PETA/HSUS. They think making more laws is liberating them.

What we are taught in school, which is basically atheism, is just another belief that is more comfortable than the alterative.

The gun ban is taking our protection away and puts us in much more danger of Criminal type people who have guns no matter what the law is. In the first year of the gun ban in Australia the Australia-wide, homicides went up 3.2 percent Australia-wide, assaults went up 8.6 percent Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent.

Greed is often behind things like this. Also people don't want to be reminded of a God to whom they will have to give an account to some day. If you study world history you will see that when things like this start to happen the people loose their strength as a nation.

I know this was jumbled but I hope you can get what I am tryng to say.

Answer 15

Not all Americans, liberals are responsible for each of the above mentioned issues.

Answer 16

We want to be kept safe. President Giuliani will protect us by taking away firearms- 9/11 you know.

Answer 17

Where have you been. They already do. I'm forced to pay higher taxes while those with children or are married pay little or NO taxes. (Bushed new tax laws.) Just try to put up a shed or change something on your House & see how fas the government comes at you with The building inspector & forces you have a so called permit. Schools are supposed to be teaching school work. (Reading, Writing, Math.... ) Religion is NOT school work and is wasting tax dollars. Religion should be tought in CHURCH by those who want it. NOT forced on those who do NOT want it in school. Also WHO'S RELIGION would you teach since there are dozzens of them. As far as Spy & nuter of cats & dogs. Why would you want thousands of unwanted dogs & cats running around if you did not do this.They also tell you that you have to wear a seat belt in a car. Isn't that violating your rights too. You are NEVER going to stop the government trying to tell you what you can & can't do.

Answer 18

Interesting take on the idea of "rights being taken away." I thought for sure you were going to talk about the The Patriot Act.

Answer 19

Because an ever growing proportion of our population is worthless, lazy, weak, undisciplined and barely able to 'handle' the 'stress' of modern life what with them dragging behind them the silent reproach of the millions of tear stained eyes of patriots who have given that last measure of devotion to their country having given their lives, they quite naturally want everyone to be as useless as they are! Anyone with a weapon and faith enough to use it is an awesome and fearsome threat to their whole 'world view'.

Answer 20

When guns are banned, only criminals will have guns?  (Do we feel safer?)

When all cats/dogs not approved by the government to breed are spayed/neutered only commercial breeders (puppymills) and people willing to breed underground (black market) will produce pets.  (Great way to get a quality pet, eh?)

Removal of all traces of religion from all public places is step one towards simply disallowing religion at all.  As someone involved in a non-traditional religion I can sincerely say I am HORRIFIED at the notion of public places not being allowed holiday displays that might have a religious theme.

No, I don't think people have any clue that the small steps being taken will only lead to bigger ones... and fewer and fewer rights.