Yeah, well I don't see a country that's thriving, except in terms of wealth (for some). I see a country lurching towards another Civil War.

Anyway, my point was that I don't think these rights exist, and that framing things in terms of rights is arse-over-tit. I'm not interested in arguing whether the US chose the right set of rights; I'm saying I have no idea what a "right" is, other than a privilege granted by law.

> I don't see a country that's thriving

Americans love to wallow in "oh, woe is us!" whereas if one reads history books, the US is in a golden age.

> I'm saying I have no idea what a "right" is, other than a privilege granted by law.

Yep, and Constitutions define these privileges and make them supreme, above other laws.

We have a right to not be murdered. That is a right, not a privilege.

Apparently not; many states have a death penalty (i.e. a withdrawal of that privilege). Prosecution of policemen for murder is rare, and a conviction is even rarer.

And you're still baldly asserting that rights exist, without explaining what rights are or where they come from.