The first census in 1790 asked just six questions: the name of the head of the household, the number of free white males older than 16, the number of free white males younger than 16, the number of free white females, the number of other free persons, and the number of slaves.

What libertarians assert is simply that differences among normal adults do not imply different fundamental rights.

Group personification obscures, rather than illuminates, important political questions.

Obligations may be universal or particular.

Guardians are necessary for children and abnormal adults, because they cannot make responsible choices for themselves.

The first census in 1790 asked just six questions: the name of the head of the household, the number of free white males older than 16, the number of free white males younger than 16, the number of free white females, the number of other free persons, and the number of slaves.

Equality of rights means that some people cannot simply impose obligations on others, for the moral agency and rights of those others would then be violated.