Masturbation, adultery, fornication, and the right to privacy

Does the Constitution guarantee a right to privacy? Some say yes, some say no. Others say yes, but...they're not exactly sure what it covers. Does it cover abortion? Sodomy? Masturbation, adultery, fornication? Incredibly, some states still have laws against these acts, simply because the Constitution is vague as to whether we have a right to privacy or not.

This issue comes up every time we have a new Supreme Court nominee. It's in the news currently for the third time in three months. Why can't we settle this issue once and for all? Does the Constitution guarantee privacy or doesn't it?

Dan Savage has a great idea. He asks, "If the Republicans can propose a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, why can't the Democrats propose a right-to-privacy amendment?"

As Savage points out, making the implicit right to privacy explicit would end the debate. Also, he says, "the debate over the bill would force Republicans who opposed it to explain why they don't think Americans deserve a right to privacy - which would alienate not only moderates, but also those libertarian, small-government conservatives who survive only in isolated pockets on the Eastern Seaboard and the American West."

How about it, Democrats? Let's go on the offensive, and draft a bill to secure the right most of us believe we already have - the right to keep our private lives private.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/16/opinion/16savage.html