On Rights (op-ed)

On Rights

by Auden Watts

  

In the United Friends of America, everyone has rights. This extends to non-citizens, political opponents, and even convicted criminals.

As a democratic government, the UFA Government views itself as the legitimate authority over its territory and the citizenry that has consented to be governed by it. However, this authority is not absolute. The UFA can punish citizens for breaking laws passed by Congress, as long as they have received a fair trial, but there are limitations. Our constitution prohibits slavery (Article One) and cruel and unusual punishment (Amendment One). It also grants freedom of speech (Article One), a right which cannot be infringed upon.

It has been suggested that members of the former Nico Party should be punished harshly for their actions; some suggested methods are deportation and even slavery. (!) The United Friends of America has neither the legal nor the moral authority to do this, and it will not be allowed to happen.

While some Nico Party members can be prosecuted and fined, simply being a Nico Party member is not a crime and technically never has been (even when we were at war). Even if it was, criminals still have rights.

Some Americonians possess the strong opinion that former Nico Party members can be forgiven and reconciled with, while others believe that they should remain outside Americonian society forever. No matter one's personal opinion on the matter, it is important to remember that everyone, even those we disagree with, and even those who have betrayed and attacked us, has rights. If the government is allowed to take rights from these people, any one of us could be next.