While debating Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore regarding whether federal courts can force the states to accept gay marriage, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo declared that our rights are gifts from the government rather than bestowed by God. He has come under fire for this statement, as many people object to the idea that humans have no ‘natural’ rights, but only what the government chooses to give us. Cuomo argued that our rights come from man and what we as a society agree on. Many have pointed out that the very first sentence of our Declaration of Independence reads, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.’
It can be implied that Cuomo’s political philosopy is that a small, select group of people have absolute control over what rights are afforded others, says CNS News. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh was also quick to react, pointing out that Cuomo’s claim directly contradicts our Declaration of Independence.