What makes America different from all nations which preceeded it (and I believe, all other nations still), is that we are a nation fundamentally and entirely based, on the recognition and protection of fundamental, inherent, preexisting, individual rights.
Not royal right, not divine right, not collective rights... none of these things exist, they are artificial and false concepts used to subjugate individuals... but individual rights.
Though our constitution calls itself the highest law of the land, it is not... It explicitly recognizes that the highest law, is that set of fundemental, inherent, and pre-existing individual rights, from which its authority, legitimacy, and powers, are entirely derived.
Our constitution and all our laws derive their entire legitimacy and authority from the rights of the individual; it's powers derived from and with the consent of, the governed.
We are a nation with a government of strictly limited and enumerated powers, and a people of unenumerated and nearly unlimited individual rights and powers; wherein the people, and their individual rights and powers, are always superior to the government
Our constitution, and our nation, have no existence whatsoever, outside of or without, fundamental and inherent individual rights.
This concept is absolutely critical to liberty, and to the function of our nation, and our government.
... Which is why so many have spent so long, and worked so hard, trying to eliminate the very notion that inherent individual rights exist.
Their worldview cannot be validated, their desires and plans cannot be fulfilled, so long as individual rights exist.
... Which is why so many people are now falsely taught that the very concept does not exist, or that it is wrong. That there are no rights at all, or that rights are granted or determined by government or society.
These people believe that there are no fundamental and inherent rights... Only those privileges which "society"... or the "right people" in society... collectively decide are appropriate or beneficial, and which they falsely chose to call "rights".
They believe that "society" or government can grant such "rights", define them, limit or expand them, and take them away; as it wills.
Many believe that is how things are now, how they should and must be, and do not even understand how any other way could possibly exist, or function, or be true.
They are of course entirely wrong... and dangerously so.
This false "collective rights" concept is anathema to the American ideal, to our constitution, and to human liberty.
Rights, are those things inherent to individuals, which cannot be infringed, abrogated, or violated, without force, fraud, or willing consent.
Rights cannot be granted or taken away, they can only be recognized, respected, and protected; or violated, infringed, or abrogated.
Rights are not subject to or contingent upon the will of others, nor the vote of the majority, nor any law or government.
Rights are always and only a property of individuals, inherent to them, and inalienable.
Collectives, and entities other than individuals cannot have rights, they may only exercise the rights and powers that individuals within those entities have delegated to them. As such, they may not exercise any right or power which is not posessed by the individuals within them, nor can these rights and powers be in any way be superior to those of any individual.
... Which is why so many deny that such rights exist.
Without fundamental, inherent, and preexisting individual rights, we have nothing but the consent and approval of others, to protect us from being subject to the will of others.
... Which is what so many people would prefer.
With such rights, there are many things which cannot be denied or stripped away from you, simply by the will of others.
... Which is why so many disparage such rights.
With such rights, there are many things which cannot be forced on you, simply by the will of others.
... Which is why those who believe in the false notion of "collective rights" have worked so long and so hard to, and are still attempting to; deny and destroy the very concept of individual rights.
Because so long as we have individual rights, individuals can legitimately disagree with, and prevent, the will of the majority from being enforced on the minority, if doing so would violate those rights...
... No matter how many people want it...
... No matter how "important" it is...
... No matter how bad the problem they want to "fix" is...
... No matter how "good" or "beneficial" the idea or plan is...
Those who believe in "collective rights", simply cannot tolerate this.
