[quote name='Siterath']It was not the government declaring or bestowing rights, but recognizing those rights. Government at any level is not infallible, and your argument implies that the government's rejection of the rights of blacks and/or women was right. After all, if government grants rights, then it can grant them to whoever it wants. It was right of them when they didn't grant them to non-White men, and it was right of them when they did. This argument of infallibility is simply incorrect.
Additionally, if one believes that rights are bestowed by government, one would then also believe that a government could strip those rights at will, and could do so with no justifiable response by the people.
Secondly, as already articulated, the language of American government (specifically the bill of rights) recognizes inherent rights. Therefore, how can the government grant that which it already recognizes to exist? I'd have no more right to grant water to the ocean. Also, I reiterate, the entire principle of this government (and of republican government as a whole) is that they derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Once more I ask, how can one give consent if one does not already have the right to give consent?
Lastly, let me pose this question to you. If our government were to cease to exist, and beyond that, if there were to be a total absence of government, would rights still exist? Would you, or anyone, still have the right to live? The right to feed and clothe thyself? Do these maxims, these very rights of nature, exist only in the presence of government?[/QUOTE]
Look, i don't think you post here much so I'll let "and your argument implies that the government's rejection of the rights of blacks and/or women was right." slide. Needless to say, I do not believe that in any way. I'm not going to get into a philosophical argument with you, i'm looking at this from a practical standpoint.
Therefore, how can the government grant that which it already recognizes to exist?
I don't know, you tell me. It didn't recognize the rights of blacks or women for a long time, despite what you seem to believe are their natural rights. So riddle me this oh philosophical one, if they already had said rights, why did it take an act of our government in order for them to have said rights? Yeah sure, they had them already, but you can argue you have the right to do anything, but if it isn't recognized by your government then the argument is worthless.
You can believe you have whatever rights you want, but for practicality sake, if your government doesn't recognize them, you don't have them under said government.