[Talisker]

Freedom would include both rights and privileges. There are inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property which are inherent in being a living person, and there are also privileges, such as the freedom to operate a motor vehicle on public highways or perform surgery on someone, which government may regulate. They are all freedoms.

Actually I was being a bit sarcastic. I was pointing out that Scalia avoided the terms "rights" and "privileges" because he didn't want to draw attention to their differences.

Simply put, rights from come God, while privileges are accorded by the State ONLY to corporations or people acting in a corporate capacity. And that includes "operating a motor vehicle on public highways or performing surgery."

[seowulf]

Actually I was being a bit sarcastic. I was pointing out that Scalia avoided the terms "rights" and "privileges" because he didn't want to draw attention to their differences.

Sure, but I think the distinction is still important to point out because some people really don't know the difference.

There are far too many people who accept the premise that the government grants you rights, not just the "freedoms" that happen to be privileges.