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To: presidio9
“If you want new constitutional rights, then you need to amend the Constitution.”

Already done:

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The Bill of Rights almost didn't pass exactly because of the fear of attitudes like Scalia's. Let's listen to James Madison:
It has been objected also against a Bill of Rights, that, by enumerating particular exceptions to the grant of power, it would disparage those rights which were not placed in that enumeration; and it might follow by implication, that those rights which were not singled out, were intended to be assigned into the hands of the General Government, and were consequently insecure. This is one of the most plausible arguments I have ever heard against the admission of a bill of rights into this system; but, I conceive, that it may be guarded against. I have attempted it, as gentlemen may see by turning to the last clause of the fourth resolution.
Unfortunately, Madison's protections against Scalia's view in the 9th Amendment appear not to have worked.
18 posted on 05/02/2007 2:21:01 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat

Bingo! We have MANY rights, not just those listed in the Constitution. Basically, we have the right (liberty) to do what we want to do, as long as we respect the life rights and property of others. Too many conservatives don’t get this. It makes us look like authoritarians.


27 posted on 05/02/2007 2:54:06 PM PDT by RKV ( He who has the guns, makes the rules.)
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