Rights?

[MtnBiker]

Does a US citizen have the right to something if it is at the expense to another person?

[manu1959]

Does a US citizen have the right to something if it is at the expense to another person?

is that other person also a US citizen?

[MtnBiker]

Yes.

[5stringJeff]

Does a US citizen have the right to something if it is at the expense to another person?

The popular answer for this is that 'your rights stop when my rights are affected.'

However, I suppose I'd have to know the entire situation before I could give a good answer.

[MtnBiker]

The popular answer for this is that 'your rights stop when my rights are affected.'

However, I suppose I'd have to know the entire situation before I could give a good answer.

I didn't have a specific situation in mind, but just in general.

Can you think of a situation where a person has a right to something at the infringement of another?

[Birdzeye]

Does a US citizen have the right to something if it is at the expense to another person?

I think that, in general, your rights (or mine, for that matter) stop when it becomes at the expense of the other.

Reality is often different.

[MtnBiker]

I think that, in general, your rights (or mine, for that matter) stop when it becomes at the expense of the other.

Reality is often different.

Reality certainly does differ.

I suppose we should clarify, forceable expense, not charity.

If you believe a right stops at the expense of another, does a person have a right to housing?

[darin]

I didn't have a specific situation in mind, but just in general.

Can you think of a situation where a person has a right to something at the infringement of another?

People have the right to avoid harassment/hate speech which infringes upon the right to freedom of speech.

[MtnBiker]

People have the right to avoid harassment/hate speech which infringes upon the right to freedom of speech.

A person has the right to free speech, but not necessary to be heard.

[darin]

A person has the right to free speech, but not necessary to be heard.

I'm saying if somebody is saying something harassing my 'right' not to be harassed trumps their right to free speech.

I'm not saying I'm in agreement - just saying it happens.

[Mr. P]

I didn't have a specific situation in mind, but just in general.

Can you think of a situation where a person has a right to something at the infringement of another?

A stretch, but yes. Someone breaks into my home and intends to do me harm by taking my life. I shot em middle chest and remove their right to life before they can do it to me. I did infringe on their right to life but only to protect what they would have taken from me.

[MtnBiker]

A stretch, but yes. Someone breaks into my home and intends to do me harm by taking my life. I shot em middle chest and remove their right to life before they can do it to me. I did infringe on their right to life but only to protect what they would have taken from me.

Well certianly there are going to be gray areas and judgements to be made. It could be argued that the intruder put his right to life at risk because he broke into your house.

[manu1959]

Yes.

then no.....

[Hobbit]

A stretch, but yes. Someone breaks into my home and intends to do me harm by taking my life. I shot em middle chest and remove their right to life before they can do it to me. I did infringe on their right to life but only to protect what they would have taken from me.

He infringed first (taking your right to own private property), justifying your act to violate his civil rights right back in an effort to protect your own rights. Those who intentionally violate the rights of others forfeit their own rights.

As for the right to housing...NO, you do not have the right to have a roof over your head. If you have a roof over your head, and you didn't pay for it, it's not because you're entitled to one, it's because another individual, either through an act of charity or due to the force of law, paid for that roof for you. You have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, meaning you have the right to buy housing, but you do not have the right to have it if you can't buy it.

[Mr. P]

Well certianly there are going to be gray areas and judgements to be made. It could be argued that the intruder put his right to life at risk because he broke into your house.

I said it was a stretch. But IMO an intruder leaves ALL their rights at the point of entry. I'm sure some would argue otherwise, in fact it has been and does happen. I just heard today some state REQUIRES you leave your home if someone breaks in instead of defending it. The perp gets rights but not the property owner.