Hugh, you continue to get this wrong.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Hugh
I also don't follow this assertion that the US Constitution is written in plain English, while at the same time we construe the 14th Amendment such that the word "privileges" means "inalienable natural rights" ... I think the plain english meaning is that an inalienable natural right belongs to everyone while a privilege belongs to a select/privileged group.
|
Privileges are those political rights (like Madisons mention of Trial by Jury) that are accorded to citizens of the social compact.
Immunities are those rights that were considered natural to all men.
The phrase, taken together, means all the natural rights
and the political rights that are accorded to Citizens. Aliens (those not citizens) within the US, are accorded the immunities and protected by due process. The Equal justice clause, accords aliens some privileges, but not all.