The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.
— Thomas Jefferson (Letter to William Hunter, 11 March 1790)

Where do our rights come from? Are they a gift to us from God or do they come to us from our government? I think that that’s an important question. It also seems to be central to the divide between liberalism and conservatism in our modern American political discourse.

Here’s another question — who actually possesses the rights we’re talking about? Do rights belong to the individual or do they belong to society? Do they belong to the people or to the government?

(Hat tip to Scott at Powerline)

The Toledo Blade has some pieces on Obama, and FDR’s Second Bill of Rights.

Without further ado, here is that list of “rights” that the left want to append to the Constitution:

• The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or
  shops or farms or mines of the nation;
• The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing
  and recreation;
• The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a
  return which will give him and his family a decent living;
• The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an
  atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by
  monopolies at home or abroad;
• The right of every family to a decent home;
• The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to
  achieve and enjoy good health;
• The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old
  age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
• The right to a good education.

Amazingly, this list shares many common points with the UN Declaration on Human Rights, which I have commented on before.