Replying to Avatar SLCW

Can the People delegate something they themselves don't have a right to do to the government?

This is a question I've pondered for a while, but can't come up with a satisfactory answer.

Its not legal for the American people to kill someone, even in retaliation for the commission of a crime, but they can delegate that authority to the government by way of capital punishment.

There are other examples of instances where a citizen isn't allowed to do something, but can give that ability to the government.

Its sort of a conundrum. I'd like to hear some other opinions and thoughts on this.
f7
nobody 1y ago

This is going to rub all our anarchists the wrong way, but here goes...

US concept for this initially was an odd mix of Christian and humanist principles.

Founders assumed government authority is not a direct delegation of individual rights but a distinct institution ordained by God to uphold order and justice.

Yes, individuals cannot take life in retribution--because God said so. But the government is deligated the authority to administer justice, including capital punishment--again, because God said so.

The authority to kill comes not from the people themselves but from a divinely sanctioned structure designed to maintain peace and punish wrongdoing. The government’s unique role affirms that individuals alone (including kings or presidents) are not equipped or authorized to exercise ultimate judgments like this. Including presidential pardons.

So no deligation of power by the people. Just affirmation of predetermined structure.

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