Summary
In his essay “The Right to Be Let Alone,” Barry Glazer makes the case that the government frequently intrudes on the private rights of its people. He points out that this is particularly true in today’s technological age, when government surveillance is pervasive. This idea is echoed in Senator Rand Paul’s videos “No Child Left Alone: Getting the Government Out of Parenting” and “The Right to be Left Alone,” which show how the government can violate parental and child rights through overregulation and coercive belief systems. These resources show how important protecting people’s private and individual rights is.
The Importance of Governmental Respect of Individual Rights
The government might violate one’s right to privacy by regulating one’s own views and ideals. In “No Child Left Behind,” the speaker makes the case that parents and families should determine what their children learn and believe. In his video, Senator Rand Paul reinforces this idea, saying people shouldn’t be forced to adopt the government’s views. Glazer also talks about how government surveillance might infringe on one’s right to privacy and cause them to lose their autonomy. These sources make it clear how important it is to respect people’s ideas and values, as they have the freedom to choose their paths in life, free from governmental intervention.
The “The Right to be Left Alone” video by Senator Rand Paul is another excellent resource for emphasizing the value of private and individual liberties. In the video, Senator Paul discusses how governmental data collection and increased surveillance might infringe on citizens’ rights and result in power abuses. Senator Paul contends that people should be allowed to make their own decisions free from government intervention. He stresses the importance of privacy as a fundamental right and how government surveillance violates it. Senator Paul also points out that government overreach might have unexpected results, such as using surveillance to keep tabs on political rivals or quell protests.
References
Glazer, Barry. “The Right to Be Let Alone.” University of Pennsylvania Law Review, vol. 133, no. 2, 1985, pp. 195-232.
“No Child Left Alone: Getting the Government Out of Parenting.” YouTube, uploaded by ReasonTV. 2013. Web.
Paul, Rand. “The Right to be Left Alone.” YouTube, uploaded by SenatorRandPaul, 2012. Web.