• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Blog Home
  • Topics
    • Keystone Press Releases
    • Politics and Government
    • Legislation
    • Nevada News
    • Tourism & Gaming
    • Rural Nevada
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • About Keystone Nevada

Keystone Nevada Korner

Welcome to The Keystone Korner The Official Blog of Keystone Nevada

Home » OPINION: Our rights — and my responsibilities

OPINION: Our rights — and my responsibilities

May 15, 2023 by Courtney Holland

By Pat Hickey, Reno Gazette Journal, May 9, 2023

Just as there are two sides to every coin, it takes two crucial things for a democratic republic like ours to succeed. If we want a government that maintains social order and protects personal freedoms, we need civil rights enshrined in law and citizens who act responsibly to govern themselves.

Without both, we risk being broken apart as well as becoming broke. The “shining light on the hill” that was America will continue to dim if we fail to hold up both ends of the governing proposition placed before us.

The accompanying Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to our government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual — like freedom of speech, press and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or the states.

How to achieve those freedoms is found in the Declaration of Independence. It was meant to be the responsibility, “… of the people, by the people, for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln pointed out.

We can add all the bills of rights (laws) we want, and we have as of late.

Legally, rights have never been so extensively defined for so many: the rights of ethnic minorities, the rights of women, the rights of children, the rights of single parents, the rights of sexual preferences, taxpayers, renters, etc, etc. The rights of animals and the rights of plants. It’s a list that goes on endlessly. They all look good on the paper and feel good to those who increasingly view themselves as victims without them.

How about a bill of responsibilities to go along with all those newly created rights? Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, started by Dwight Eisenhower in 1949, put forth a preamble to such a “Bill of Responsibilities” by saying, “Freedom and responsibility are mutual and inseparable; we can ensure enjoyment of the one only by exercising the other. Freedom for all of us depends on responsibility by each of us.”

Along with the ever-expanding size of government, what about the necessary notion of self-government? Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt certainly thought it was important: “… our children must learn … to face full responsibility for their actions, to make their own choices and cope with the results … the whole democratic system … depends upon it. Our system is founded on self-government, which is untenable if the individuals who make up the system are unable to govern themselves.” Civil rights author James Baldwin agreed: “… the essence of what we know as justice in civil affairs is people living up to their obligations toward one another.”

Those who disagree with me may say that in order to obtain justice we need stronger measures outlawing all the injustices in society. I’d say we need more good persons. Contemporary author Adrian Wooldridge writes in “The Aristocracy of Talent”: “Great Jewish intellectuals such as Albert Einstein made a mockery of Nazi ideas of the master race. Great black individuals such as Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois proved African Americans could hold their own in the corridors of intellect. Martin Luther King was such a morally compelling figure because he held out the hope of a future in which everyone would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.”

The content of a nation’s character determines its fate. No matter how powerful and all-encompassing our laws become, they are only as good as the people living under them. It’s been said that our current narrow preoccupation with rights is a moral health warning that all is not well with our society.

The hallmark of American democracy is freedom. Nevadans especially cherish the right to make their own choices. Our ability to respond, or our responsibilities, are what make us unique on planet earth. We are not merely ruled by nature’s laws (as the animal kingdom is); we govern ourselves by the rules we shape from our values — and dare I say our consciences, whether they be of a religious or humanistic origin.

As founder James Madison said, “If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in vain to look for public virtue.” In that sense, the best “law” of all may still be the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

“Memo from the Middle” is an opinion column written by RGJ columnist Pat Hickey, a member of the Nevada Legislature from 1996 to 2016.

Filed Under: Opinion Tagged With: bill of rightts, Opinion, U.S. constitution

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Bootleg Bistro
Bootleg Bistro Ad
SLLC_Keystone_Blog-Ad_300x500_10%-Off-Repairs_05.19.21
CIOServices Ad 300x500-100
BRH Keystone Ad JPEG
Willow_Manor
Keystone Corporation Nevada

News Topics

  • Keystone Press Releases
  • Politics and Government
  • Legislation
  • Nevada News
  • Tourism & Gaming
  • Rural Nevada
  • Business
  • Opinion

Rural Nevada

Weather may have slowed January sales

April 8, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By The Record Courier Staff, April 4, 2023 For the third month in a row, Douglas County merchants reported a decrease in taxable sales, though not … [Read More...] about Weather may have slowed January sales

30 new projects in Pahrump: Arby’s, Chipotle, Midas Muffler, 3 convenient stores & more

March 29, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Robin Hebrock, Pahrump Valley Times, March 28, 2023 Business is booming in the Pahrump Valley, with dozens of new companies looking to bring … [Read More...] about 30 new projects in Pahrump: Arby’s, Chipotle, Midas Muffler, 3 convenient stores & more

UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

March 19, 2023 By Courtney Holland

Staff Reports for The Record Courier, March 17, 2023 United Parcel Service plans to build a new 168,000 square foot building in Douglas County, … [Read More...] about UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

February 12, 2023 By Pauline Lee

by Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette-Journal, February 9, 2023 Redwood Materials just secured a commitment from the federal government for a $2 billion … [Read More...] about Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

Opinion

OPINION: The Lost Art of Negotiation In Carson City

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

NV Dems to Governor Lombardo: ‘Your priorities aren’t our priorities, but here are ours, sign them’ By Megan Barth, The Nevada Globe, May 26, … [Read More...] about OPINION: The Lost Art of Negotiation In Carson City

OPINION: Don’t force taxpayers to gamble with the IRS

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Rich Robledo, Las Vegas Sun, May 21, 2023 Every year, millions of Americans visit Las Vegas to see the sights, take in a show, and even gamble … [Read More...] about OPINION: Don’t force taxpayers to gamble with the IRS

OPINION: Bipartisanship is critical in economic development

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Tina Quigley, The Nevada Independent, May 28th, 2023 Several months ago, a friend sent me a copy of a 50-year-old local news … [Read More...] about OPINION: Bipartisanship is critical in economic development

Tags

Adam Laxalt am post Build Back Better Business Business Columns Casinos & Gaming Catherine Cortez Masto Clark County Clark County School District COVID Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) Editorials Education Elon Musk employment Gov. Joe Lombardo Gov. Steve Sisolak Housing inflation Inside Gaming Joe Lombardo las vegas Local Local Las Vegas Local Nevada mc-business mc-local mc-news mc-opinion mc-sports Nevada News NPRI Opinion Opinion Columns PAID Politics and Government Real Estate Insider Roe v. Wade school choice Sports Tesla The Strip tourism Victor Joecks

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Keystone Corporation - All Rights Reserved · Log in
Privacy Policy
By accessing this site, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use

The views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the authors of any article or post on the Keystone Korner are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members. Moreover, any reference to a person, party, product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members.