“The public good is in nothing more essentially interested, than in the protection of every individual's private rights.”

The premise and foundation of the U.S. could not be stated more clearly.

And it is clear that today, in 2006 there is no greater threat to the US than the current leaderships assult upon these very premises.

I see we have consensus... of course the definition of what an individual's private rights are most likely will differ widely among the above respondents.

What does Ron Paul think?

Just what I was looking for.

"Individual Rights" ... not collective rights which is an oxymoron anyway. And Reston's observation is even more pertinent today.

Sure wish the government would quit doing what they claim is for our own public good.

"Private Rights' herein obviously means 'Individual Fundamental Rights'.-- as Right to Life-Honour and Property. ... This - SirWilliam Blackstone's reminder needs to be more and more publicized to wider humanity.