Here are my thoughts of the common issues we see...rights versus privs
First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
I think this meant, that the government will not interfere with the personal lives of its people. Allowing people to have different religions as they believe. This also allows the people to speak up in defiance of the government when it sees a problem. The Second Amendment (my second part) gives them the ability to fight an oppressive government. Also, part of the speaking up, gathering in groups is protected under law, so that the government itself cannot stop people from speaking their thoughts.
Second Amendment:
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
This states, we have the right to have guns. This was intented (my interpretation) first and foremost for the ability to the citizens to have weapons to form a militia when the government did not have a standing army.
Secondly, it was also intended, that since the citizens are the ones that should decide their own destiny, to fight an oppresive government. Should the national government that is established becomes oppressive, the citizens will have the means to fight and rebel.
Third, it was also intending the people to have the means to protect themselves outside of law enforcement and the national army.
Fourth Amendment
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.
This has become a hotbed in the last 8 years. Here I see this as saying, you cannot be searched, your email intercepted, your cell phones monitored, postal mail read. Anything that involves your person that is not probable cause, (and we know that the govt lately has braodened the use of "probable cause"). As you can see, I find the Patriot Act a violation of Civil Rights.
Tenth Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
This to me, is the most violated of any law we have in the this. The Federal Government has found way after way to force states to give up their power. States are now for the most part, toothless. If the Fed agrees, then they have clout, but if they dont, they blackmail the state goverenments to give in.
A perfect example....Road funding.
The Federal Government wants the drinking age of 21, all states gave in but Louisiana. The Fed said, raise it to 21 or we wont give you the money (millions of dollars...billions over the years). Louisiana said no, so that is why many of the roads in Louisiana are terrible aside from new roads and the Federal Highways.
Now, Privs...
Healthcare is not a right. Its not something gaurenteed you. You are givend the rights of Life, Libery and the Pursuit of Happiness, not affordable healthcare.