we have a right to property. but when people tell you “this car is killing people”, the car is recalled. we understand that safety measures are in place to protect us, and the ones we love. we do not demand we keep the car because it’s never personally been dangerous for us. it is punishable to drive without a seat belt in many states. it is punishable to text and drive in many states. this is okay.
we have a right to expression. but when we found out lead paint was the cause of birth defects and long-term illnesses and even death, we said, okay, express yourself without the lead paint, please. we understood this was a good thing.
we have a right to liberty. but there are liberties that are controlled. drugs and alcohol are still subject to government intervention, because they can kill you and the ones you love. we understand liberty does not mean driving drunk or giving school kids cigarettes. the war on drugs, despite being racist and unproductive, has continued for years because of the single, abject fear of it effecting children.
we have a bill of rights, yes. several are about the justice system; it does not make the justice system healthy or free from legitimate criticism.
at the end of the day, “having a right to it” does not make it a healthy, sane, or appropriate choice. you have a right to own a car that will kill you. you have a right to eat lead paint to your heart’s content.
but there is no right that allows you to willingly and knowingly put another person’s life in danger, except for the second amendment. i have seen people who fight to keep it turn around and defend the war on drugs, because “what about the children”. i have seen people who fight to keep it use weapons as accessories, poised around an arsenal fit for a small army, telling me come and take it. that’s what the argument comes down to: a threat.
i do not allow children to run with knives, although, technically, it is their right to bear arms. i know a danger and i move to stop it, even if they cry.
we sort through our children’s halloween candy, we buckle them before we drive, we make them wear helmets. we know a danger, and we move to stop it, even if it means giving up small liberties.
it shouldn’t be political. it shouldn’t be a necessary statement at all. i believe that when lives are on the line, you do whatever it takes to save those lives. you recall the cars. you make it illegal for minors to purchase addictive things. you don’t stand in the smoke of a burning house and say “now isn’t the time to talk about the importance of fire alarms.” you say, “let’s go get a fire alarm.”
