Individual rights should not be infringed upon by the state from "summary" of Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater
It is imperative for a society to uphold the sanctity of individual rights, for they are the bedrock upon which our freedoms stand. These rights are not granted by the state; they are inherent to every human being, bestowed upon us by our Creator. It is the duty of the state to protect these rights, not to trample upon them in the name of expediency or convenience. When the state encroaches upon the rights of the individual, it undermines the very essence of freedom and liberty. The state exists to serve the people, not to lord over them with an iron fist. A government that seeks to control every aspect of its citizens' lives is a government that has lost sight of its purpose. Individual rights are not negotiable; they are inviolable. No majority, no matter how large, has the authority to strip away the rights of the minority. The rights of the individual must be protected against the tyranny of the majority, for it is in the rights of the individual that the true strength of a society lies. The state must not be allowed to dictate to its citizens how they should live their lives, whom they should associate with, or what they should believe. Each individual has the right to pursue their own happiness, in their own way, without interference from the state. The state's role is to create an environment in which individuals can flourish, not to inhibit their growth and development. In a society that respects individual rights, there is room for diversity of thought and belief. It is this diversity that leads to innovation and progress, enriching the lives of all citizens. When the state seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, it stifles the very creativity and ingenuity that make a society great. The protection of individual rights is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Without these rights, we are nothing more than slaves to the state, subject to its whims and caprices. It is only by safeguarding the rights of the individual that we can truly call ourselves free.
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