[shkkmo]

> it was decided they’re necessary to keep the state from being stuck

It wasn't necessarily decided by elected representatives, most of these protections have be put in place by courts and are based purely on legal precedent rather than legislation.

> It’s legal to sue government agents as private citizens for violation of rights.

It is legal to sue anyone for anything. The standards of proof required to win such a lawsuit make it generally ineffective at rectifing most cases where rights are violated.