What does "we're for individual rights, not group rights" mean?

[Selwynn]

I've seen this a few times as part of conservative creedal statements, as though it was something profound, but for the life of me I can't figure out what that actually means?

Can someone do opposition prep, and make an agrument for me explaining what the semantic value of that sentence is supposed to be?

[NMDemDist2]

1. WTF?

i have no idea..

[leftyandproud]

24. exactly what it says

no special treatment or punishment for any group of people...group identity means nothing...equal rights and treatment of all individuals should be the overriding goal. That is what it means.

[TrogL]

2. It's code

We're for the individual right to bear arms vs gay rights.

[Lex]

5. How about gay people bearing arms?

Bet the conservatives haven't thought of that!

[Mr_Spock]

9. I'd like to see how the 'Pukes would react to a militia of Gays

Guns are more acceptable to Dems these days since the need to defend ourselves against a tyrannical government is not such a crazy idea any more - especially if Shrub gets reelected (God forbid). I wonder if they would be as "gung ho" about liberal militia as they are with right-wing groups. I have a feeling we will find out within a decade or two...

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JohnLocke]

16. Pink Pistols.

Look them up.

[xocolatl]

10. How bout gay people *baring* arms!!

:P :9 :crazy: :smoke:

[NJCher]

3. there's a somewhat practical explanation on this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1447667


Cher

[Warpy]

4. It means that against the rich and the powerful

oridinary people are on their own. In other words, our rights will be to be underpaid, overworked, cheated, oppressed, and exploited with no recourse. The individuals rights will be to go hungry, to lack shelter, to suffer from lack of health care, not to have labor law protections, and never to retire.

"Individual rights" is a code word for every man for himself, and to hell with his neighbor.

[Kat45]

12. What Warpy said

That's exactly what "individual rights" means. You know, the old republican attitude of 'I've got mine, fuck you."

[DBoon]

21. How dare you gang up on me

And question my ill-gotten gains!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

23. Agreed. It means 'divide and conquer'

It shows up in the right to work laws Bush loves and the nearly unprecedented use of Taft-Hartley against the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which gave the businesses an incredible bargaining tool. And Bush insisted that the Homeland Security Act of 2002 give him authority to strip all employees in the Department of their civil service protections.

Eliminate the power of collective bargaining and the employee can be exploited at will, which puts us back in the late 18th century, which is where the whole radical conservative movement is taking us.

[JI7]

6. i think they are talking about things like affirmative action

type programs which are geared toward helping a group of people who have been discriminated or wronged in some ways in the past . it's crap because while the right wing may make up phrases that sound like there is nothing wrong with it. they often ignore the REALITY of what is going on. yes, we have laws that say people can't be discriminated on the basis of race, but that does not mean it is always practiced. to accept the conservative view many times involves ignoring reality.

[Selwynn]

7. I feel like responding, "well, ok... I'm pretty much just for RIGHTS."

Of any kind. :)

[Toucano]

13. That's a good reply.

But how do you suppose they can extend rights to individuals without (simply by association) extending them to groups?

If I am an individual with a right to, say for example, health care.

If I meet two other individuals with a right to health care then we are now a group of people with the right to health care.

Just tell them their statement is infantile and illogical. :)

[Selwynn]

18. Yeah, I wondered that myself - with no answer. :)

[xocolatl]

8. Opposition to protection of the weak

This means that they are opposed to any kind of legal or economic incentive system that protects the weaker members of society.

For example, consider torts. The reason for large settlements for medical malpractice isn't so the victim (or the victim's family) can cash in for permanent loss of health/function or loved one. It's to create a disincentive for egregious negligence in medical care.

Consider hate crime legislation. It's not that murder is more heinous if the victim is gay or black. It's that stiffer penalties for such murders creates a relative disincentive for would-be perpetrators, who often believe themselves above the law in such cases, to commit the crime.

Republicans and libertarians are against this kind of thing. Willfully or through intellectual dishonesty, they are ignorant of the fact that we live collectively and our actions do affect other people.

edited for spelling

[NightTrain]

11. It means that conservatives have their heads up their asses.

Oh, and that they're a bunch of hate-filled douche bags.

Hope that answers your question! ;)

[Solly Mack]

15. it's an attack against anything they label as "special interests"

[pbg]

17. Like So:

"I have the right to use my property in any way I see fit!"
(no environmental regulations!)
"I have the right to keep the money I've earned!"
(Down with taxes on dividends and estate taxes!)
"I have the right to choose my children's education!"
(And if I do, I shouldn't have to pay to support public schools!)
"My children should have the right to pray in school!"
(Publicly, led by a voice over the loudspeaker!)
"I have the right to voice my opinions!"
(that you all are traitors and we should put you in camps!)

Of course, for everyone else, it's all about responsibilities....

[Selwynn]

19. Aren't some or all of those "group" rights?

But I get the argument now..

[DBoon]

20. Divided you all fall

Hang together or hang separately.

[teryang]

22. It's a direct attack on the First Amendment

...right of association, "the right to peaceably assemble" in groups to advance their mutual interests.

Any group or association other than a corporation is not entitled to status in bushworld. They play lip service to the pulverized American family and the individual as if those alone were enough to ensure the welfare of the people.

Corporations and their endless progeny of trade associations, think tanks, and political action committess are entitled to the special treatment, subsidies and favoritism under the law that they very obviously have.

But demographic groups, grass root organizations, unions, classes of the injured under civil law, are groups which are not entitled to anything under this view (because it puts them on a more level playing field with the almighty corporation). Demonstrating a disturbing blind spot characteristic of arbitrary rule, these are "special interests" not entitled to any rights.

Next we'll be hearing about the inviolate "right of contract" to undermine all public safety, labor laws, and industry regulation instituted in the last hundred years.

[Kipepeo]

25. I think they mean

Conservatives are against women's reproductive rights, against affirmative action, against same-sex marriage rights, against hate crime laws, and against non-discrimination laws.

But they are for gun rights.

[mellowinman]

26. Its bullshit.

It doesn't mean anything at all.

Its like they're for "state's rights" until "state's rights" don't get them what they want.

Its like they're for "smaller government" until "smaller government" isn't convenient for them.

Conservatism is about keeping things the way they've always been:

Disproportionately favorable to the rich, White and powerful.

I will NEVER back down from that statement.

[Union Thug]

28. You, Sir, are spot on! /eom

[Union Thug]

27. Unless that group is...

... a church or a corporation.