Went out looking for books on Chinese political history, and instead came back with; Aristotle's The Politics, Plato's The Republic and a book on the essential writings of the American Transcendentalists of the early and mid-19thC. Apparently the latter were influences on Deniehy, Harpur and other 19thC Australian Republicans. (more)
A Bill of Rights is constitutionally explicit and brutal language which limits the ability of government to legislate. Such language does not enable rights, it prohibits government from infringing on them. Any legislation which violates the constitutional language of the Bill of Rights can be taken to the judicial arm of government who will interpret the constitutional language to determine if the legislation is valid. A Bill of Rights does not impact social cohesion, national cohesion, nor create conflict. It dictates a sphere of liberty where government is unable to trespass.
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Inspired by Mark Steyn in the Spectator, and derivatively quoted in the Oz this morning ...
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