I can remember back in junior high when our science teacher tried to reward our good behavior by arranging class field trips during normal school hours. But, as often junior high kids do, we soon forgot our good manners and hard work at school and many showed less than admirable conduct towards our tour guides and the surrounding general public. I can still see our teacher scolding us during a break, reminding us that taking field trips were not a ‘right’ for us, but could be taken away if we abused our reward….We were reminded that field trips were a privilege which could be taken away if we did not act with at least a minimum amount of consideration to those around us. (Normally at that point most were so ashamed that the rest of the trip flew by without incident…)
But what really is the difference between a ‘right’ and a ‘privilege’? Isn’t a right something which a person possesses which cannot be taken away, while a privilege is something which is granted under the condition that it could be taken away by an authority if they deem necessary?
Just what rights do we have? Have they changed? What is a privilege, and what things do we take for granted every day can be taken away? (And who decides what and how things are regulated?)
Well, in the UK and New York we appear to be reminded once more the public mantra that driving is not a right, but a privilege. This is from a recent MSNBC article:
“Londoners could pay $50 a day to drive in city”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23917221/
“LONDON – As New York commuters brace for possible charges for driving into the midtown area, they can at least be thankful they don’t live in London, where Mayor Ken Livingstone has staked his re-election hopes on boosting the “congestion tax” to as much as $50 a day. The New York State Legislature still needs to approve Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s pricing plan this month or the city stands to lose $354 million in funding to help kick-start the project.
The proposal involves raising tolls for entering New York via tunnels and bridges as well as charging drivers an $8 fee to drive in the area below 60th Street between during daytime hours on weekdays.”
What rights do we have, and who gives us those rights? If we believe God grants us rights, who may then take them away or restrict them? And is that different from a certain individual or group of men or women granting rights? Can they be taken away? How do we distinguish between a right and a privilege….or is there really no difference at all?
What do you think?
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