No mention of ‘natural rights’ in Constitution

Editor,

Regarding Mr. Weil’s assertion in his May 4 column: “Natural rights, derived from nature itself, exist with or without government”

There is no mention of “natural” rights or their supposed origins in the Constitution or any other Founding documents. However, the Declaration of Independence clearly identifies the source of our rights:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed BY THEIR CREATOR with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Furthermore, control of one’s own body is not a “right.” For example, the Federal Government holds the power to conscript residents to serve in the military (i.e. “The Draft”). The States have the power to incarcerate and execute convicted criminals. Attempting suicide is still illegal.

Control of one’s own body is not exempt from Governmental intervention.

A myriad of activities are “legal” in the US including actions which are morally and spiritually reprehensible. These activities are deemed legal by our Government, not by our “Creator” or by “Nature.” (Note that prior to the advent of political correctness, we referred to the latter as “MOTHER Nature.”)

Abortion may be legal, but it is not a right. And there is no such thing as a “natural” right.

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