No need to curtail rights over 'papers'

Joan Nortell asserts in the May 15 Fence Post that U.S. citizens never object to showing identification. As a citizen, I do sometimes object, and I think it important that Ms. Nortell and others understand why.

This country was founded on a set of ideals which did not exist in other countries. These ideals included the freedom to speak one's mind no matter how absurd the ramblings, to arm myself for protection, to have certain rights if arrested, and to be free from arbitrary search and seizure.

That means the government cannot demand "my papers" when I'm doing nothing more than walking down the street or sitting in the park. I have a "right" to do these things and not be harassed. When I do things which are "privileges" such as driving a car, flying a plane, or asking for credit, I can be asked for identification along with lots of other personal information, which is perfectly fine.

This difference is what separates America from other countries like Saudi Arabia, North Korea, or Nazi Germany, where one has no "rights" as citizens. Living by these ideals is what makes us Americans.

Some say we have to curtail these rights in order to defend ourselves and our borders. That is nonsense, as doing so makes us no better than the countries we defend ourselves against. I would gladly let 10 murderers free than convict one innocent person for something they did not do.

I would gladly endure 10 illegal aliens crossing our borders then to harass or intimidate 1 citizen with Mexican, Japanese, or Arabic heritage. I do this because I am American. We can protect ourselves and we can control our borders, but we can do it the American way, based on the ideals this country was founded on.

Jay Mitchell

Naperville