The United States Citizens Protected Rights - Essay Example

Introduction

Civil Liberties refer to the United States citizen’s protected rights. The paper delves into certain liberties. The paper focuses on the rationale for each liberty issue. The law offers exemptions to certain liberty-related laws.

Liberties

Our United States government implemented civil liberties. One of the controversial liberties is the liberty to take one’s own life. The issue often occurs when the patient is terminally ill. Most patients do not want to continue their suffering (Blanco, 2014). Consequently, some request their medical doctors to end the patients’ life. This can be classified as mercy killing. It is the killing of a terminally ill patient in order to stop the patient’s earthly suffering. The article discusses Seneca's recommendation to Marcelino to consider suicide in order to end the unnecessary suffering from a painful incurable ailment. New literature classified the suicide option when the patient is faced with a terminally ill ailment as dying with respect and dignity.

Further, the article places the ethical acceptance of medically induced euthanasia. The American Euthanasia Society defines Euthanasia as the ending of a patient’s life without any pain inflicted in order to put a stop to the patient’s endless suffering. In Belgian Law, the euthanasia of minors is legally permitted in cases when the children can no longer bear the pain of the incurable ailment where death is inevitable. 

Furthermore, euthanasia or mercy killing violates the universal human rights declaration of 1948. The declaration that everyone has the right to liberty, life, as well as security is legally enshrined. The law prohibits the intentional taking of another person’s life, except when the court decision imposes the death penalty on the convicted criminal. The article ends by emphasizing Euthanasia is allowed in certain cases.

In addition, another article emphasized the United States Constitution compulsorily states that everyone is entitled to own property, liberty, and life (Hamrick, 2013). One of the amendments that prioritize enforcement of the three rights is the 5th Amendment.   Another amendment is the 14th amendment.  The article reiterates that criminal intent is an important ingredient in the determination if the suspect is guilty of violating the law. Criminal intent is called Mens Rea. Thus, any person has the liberty to carry guns and grenades. The mere possession of cocaine, guns, or other prohibited drugs does not automatically constitute a criminal unless criminal intent to violate the law is present.

Further, another article delves into the issue of liberty to engage in same-sex marriage.  Some groups insist that marriages between two males should be lawfully allowed. Likewise, the same groups insist that marriage between two females must be legally binding. However, other traditional groups disapprove of same-sex marriages. The traditional groups believe that the purpose of marriage between a man and a woman is to bear children. Many religious leaders believe that same-sex marriage is sacrilegious. The article ends by insisting same-sex marriage should not be legally allowed (Kruegger, 2013).

Conclusion

Based on the above discussion, citizens are entitled to their lawful civil liberties. Euthanasia is allowed in certain cases. Some groups prefer same-sex marriages. The possession of prohibited drugs and prohibited items, including guns and grenades, is allowed if criminal intent is absent. Evidently, the United States law offers exemptions to certain liberty-based legal provisions.