Posted on 10/18/2009 8:37:56 AM PDT by Dallas59
The Constitution of the U.S.S.R. - (1918, 1936, 1977)
At first glance, it would appear that the citizens of the USSR had more rights than their American counterparts. Stalin's constitution guaranteed the people the right to work, the right to rest and leisure (no overtime), maintenance in old age (Social Security), right to education, economic equality, right to form unions, right to privacy, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press. Unfortunately, the constitution doesn't explain exactly how these freedoms are guaranteed.
For instance, the US Constitution grants freedom of speech with the following paragraph:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The USSR constitution grants in citizens freedom of speech with this passage:
In conformity with the interests of the working people, and in order to strengthen the socialist system, the citizens of the USSR are guaranteed by law:
a. freedom of speech;
b. freedom of the press;
c. freedom of assembly, including the holding of mass meetings;
d. freedom of street processions and demonstrations.
These civil rights are ensured by placing at the disposal of the working people and their organizations printing presses, stocks of paper, public buildings, the streets, communications facilities and other material requisites for the exercise of these rights.
Notice the difference?
Our freedom of speech is guaranteed because our constitution says that congress "shall make no law" that infringes on that freedom. All of our rights are guaranteed in this manner... by explaining what it is exactly that the government can't do. Phrases like "shall make no law", "shall not be violated", and "shall not be infringed" are pretty straightforward and leave little room for interpretation -- Your rights are protected because government is prohibited from passing any laws in these areas.
On the other hand, the "rights" granted to the citizens of the USSR are in fact a list of things that the government must do - The government must give you a job ... the government must give you health care ... the government must give you an education ... and (since the state owns all machinery) the government must give you a printing press for you to practice your freedom speech. But of course, if you aren't working "to strengthen the socialist system", don't hold your breath waiting for your printing press.
So, the next time you hear a politician trying to get into power by promising to protect your the "Right to Work" or your "Right to Health Care", please try to remember what "rights" really are -- protection from the government, not protection by the government.
Just like the mafia "protected" businesses from getting bricks thrown through their windows.
The genius of our Founders and the relentless pursuit of politicians for power revealed in one short article.
“Shall make no law” and “Shall not be infringed” have been turned into “Shall be circumvented whenever possible”.
And even with ours we got McCain-Feingold passed that was a law that restricted freedom of speech. Political speech at that.
So that’s where FDR got his “Second Bill of Rights”.
This is a false statement and misleading, as are all false statements.
The US Constitution does not grant freedom of speech. The first amendment to the Constitution denies the government the right to interfere with the people's inherent right to free speech. This represents a vast difference from asserting that the Constitution grants freedom of speech. A difference very worth noting and calling out at every occasion.
Reread the amendment to see it is not granting a right to the people; a highly important distinction.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The same applies to all amendments in the Bill of Rights, save possibly the right to due process, which may arguably be a granted right.
Don’t worry, we’ll get our own Article 58 soon enough.
Russians are granted freedoms by the STATE.shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiachAmericans are granted freedoms by G-d, confirmed by the constitution.
The difference was in the execution. Stalin did a lot of executions.
And the simultaneous false promises of a failed system that is based on power over everything else. (USSR) They will never stop, and neither should we.
The true failure is in our public school system that fails to teach the genius of our founders.
One thing the lefties have learned is that a good constitution doesn’t have to get in the way of doing what ever the heck they want.
That makes all the difference.
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