Do you think the constitution implies a right to privacy?

Question

Even though the word privacy appears nowhere in it.

Answer 1

A personal note to the Founding Fathers: We're sorry. We blew it. You made it possible for us to live free and we blew it. We've given up nearly every personal liberty in the name of a false sense of security sold to the masses by the same type of maniacal government about which you warned us and against which you fought so bravely. We never deserved you.

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.

Answer 2

Can't you use a word meaning the same thing as privacy?

This to me is a privacy from the government:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

When they wrote the constitution the also relied on a lot of other law, like British Common Law that goes back to the Magna Carta!

One can't put everything in the constitution. You also have to use your brain! I am sure they thought we would have a man on the moon a nuclear missiles!

In addition, there is precedent , which the Supreme Court often relies on, where privacy rights have been more than just implied!

That was the whole reason for the Bill of Rights! The Constitution mainly delt with the make-up of the government!

If you believe, that the Constitution implies no right to privacy, then how can you even think that it doesnt equaly use the same argument that it does!! Neither are mentioned!

Answer 3

The constitution guarantees a right to privacy. Just because it is not enumerated does not mean it does not exist. However, my idea of the right to privace is probably not the Democrats version of the right to privacy.

Answer 4

it does to the extent that everyone has the right to pursuit to happiness, etc. because someone else. esp. the government , could infringe these right to free speech, etc. the right to privacy is the hinge that protects us from everyone. It's like Rush Limbaugh attacking a caller (recently) and demanding to know the callers home and name to verify that he was not a paid political stooge. he had no right to ask that information from a private citizen with limited means to protect himself from a listener who decided to pay him back for attacking poor old Rush

I can't belive some gave the question thumbs down or the answer above for simply providing the text of the Constitution (thanks by the way)

Answer 5

Even thought the constitution says so, I don't beleive in it anymore.

For crying out loud the government watches you on the internet!! They can hook up your phone lines and listen to every word you say!!

You call that privacy?

Answer 6

There is protection against unreasonably search. That's the closest I know of but it's not the same as a right to privacy.

Answer 7

Yes. It is implied by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Amendments.

Just as the right to own a gun for personal protection is implied by the 2nd amendment. I add this comment in anticipation of some other answers that I have seen posted on other questions.

Answer 8

Yes. The 1st amendment in giving right to free exercise of religion implies a right to privacy.

So does the 4th in preventing unreasonable searches.

The 5th mentions that private property should not be taken without just compensation. Private property implies privacy.

Answer 9

Procedural privacy, yes. Substantive privacy, no.

Answer 10

The easy answer is yes. More difficult is the answer to what extent.

Currently, this is a policy decision based on a balancing act between the right of the individual versus the compelling needs of the government.