Should governments be allowed to take away people's rights for public safety or otherwise?

What we seem to have forgotten is that our government is always a balancing act. We have the right to free speech, but can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater because it endangers public safety. We have the freedom to drive on highways, but can't drive any speed we choose, again in the interest of public safety. Heck, the Constitution believes the "pursuit of happiness" is a fundamental right, but of course we have a lot of laws that place limits on this right.

It has always been up to us to engage in healthy debate to find compromises that work for most people. So the keys are respectful debate and finding compromises - unfortunately too many on all sides seem to have forgotten this.