Subject: Re: Here's one for the ATHEIST board
Interesting. You're arguing that anything we have can be taken away. Sure you want to do that?

Yes. Because they can. Even some Euro-nations won't allow me to exercise the same rights I have within the USA. The Socialist Worker's Party is banned in some nations, which would not be possible here. Apparently I can get in trouble if I criticize in certain ways governments while under their jurisdiction.

Our rights are the result of whatever social contract we have in place. Many nations have constitutions, but they vary somewhat. The people of England have the rights guaranteed by their government. We (USAians) have the rights guaranteed by ours. Etc. In our case, you could repeal the 19th Amendment, in principle, and women would no longer have the right to vote. That would -rightly- cause a major excrement-storm, but it is allowed within our framework. It's not that a coalition can decide suddenly. There is an entire process to change the Constitution, and therefore the rights therein. It's arduous for a good reason. But it is possible to do it if there is sufficient support.

Make no mistake, our rights can disappear in an instant if we aren't vigilant. Which is why democracy is hard work.

The Preamble is cool, and I agree with it. It doesn't actually have the power of law, of course. In fact, that entire document was more of an open letter to King George than it was a legal document. The SCOTUS does not (nor does anyone else) makes rulings based on it because it is not a document of law.