Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperYou don't have a right to food and water but you have a right to healthcare? That's downright weird!!!
I say yes.
Literally anyone can call the police if they're in trouble or to report a crime and receive service, and I think it should be the same for healthcare. Healthcare should be a basic, public service that is provided for all for the good of all.
- Police
- Fire Protection
- Public Education
- Public Roads
- [b]Healthcare
I ...[text shortened]... t even receive preventative care, or be treated for chronic or terminal illness is shameful.[/b]
How are you going to stay healthy if you are dying of thirst? Renal failure sets in after only a few days.
To stay healthy, you have to eat right (not too much, either!) So maybe that should be a 'right to be given exactly the right amount of food to maintain a healthy body mass index'.
Originally posted by spruce112358You're right it is weird. Maybe we should have a food stamps program or something.
You don't have a right to food and water but you have a right to healthcare? That's downright weird!!!
How are you going to stay healthy if you are dying of thirst? Renal failure sets in after only a few days.
To stay healthy, you have to eat right (not too much, either!) So maybe that should be a 'right to be given exactly the right amount of food to maintain a healthy body mass index'.
Also, the vast majority Americans aren't starving to death. Even the homeless can generally eat. But try holding up a sign on the side of the road, "Will work for MRI scan and chemotherapy"
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperIf they can afford to make political signs then they shouldn't be getting food stamps.
You're right it is weird. Maybe we should have a food stamps program or something.
Also, the vast majority Americans aren't starving to death. Even the homeless can generally eat. But try holding up a sign on the side of the road, "Will work for MRI scan and chemotherapy"
To answer the OP, there is no such thing as a "right" to stick your hand in someone else's pocket. It may be a good idea for the government to provide healthcare (in some cases) and it may be a legitimate function of a duly elected government to do so, but it is not a "right." If the government doesn't give me stuff, should I be able to sue for it? No way.
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperWhat you mean is that the free market provides such an abundance of food and the cost is so low that food stamps easily cover any gaps. That's why "food care" isn't a problem and since it isn't a problem, you don't even think about it being stated as "a right".
You're right it is weird. Maybe we should have a food stamps program or something.
Also, the vast majority Americans aren't starving to death. Even the homeless can generally eat. But try holding up a sign on the side of the road, "Will work for MRI scan and chemotherapy"
Make the government the single payer for all food and watch the price go through the roof -- suddenly "right to food" will make it onto your list. But it will only happen with government interference.
Originally posted by spruce112358Frankly, I don't see why transportation should be a right. People need to go places to survive. The government should set up free trains and buses. But if you live in a rural area, it's probably cheaper just to buy you a car. With gas prices what they are, people are struggling to get from place to place.
What you mean is that the free market provides such an abundance of food and the cost is so low that food stamps easily cover any gaps. That's why "food care" isn't a problem and since it isn't a problem, you don't even think about it being stated as "a right".
Make the government the single payer for all food and watch the price go through the roof ...[text shortened]... od" will make it onto your list. But it will only happen with government interference.
Why isn't affordable housing a right? Don't people need shelter to survive? Look at all the homeless people. I think the government should give everyone free housing.
Isn't a little leisure necessary for a person to be happy? Let's make one paid vacation to the domestic or international destination of your choice a right!
etc.
All fantastic ideas until one realizes that someone has to actually produce all this crap we're giving out.
Originally posted by sh76Plenty of governments subsidize housing for the poor, public transport and guarantee minimum incomes. It's not that expensive.
Frankly, I don't see why transportation should be a right. People need to go places to survive. The government should set up free trains and buses. But if you live in a rural area, it's probably cheaper just to buy you a car. With gas prices what they are, people are struggling to get from place to place.
Why isn't affordable housing a right? Don't people ne ...[text shortened]... s until one realizes that someone has to actually produce all this crap we're giving out.
Originally posted by sh76Yes. I know that. Society has a right to collect taxes. We agree. So what did you mean by "...there is no such thing as a "right" to stick your hand in someone else's pocket"?
Society, through its duly elected government, vests its government with the authority to collect taxes and spend for the public good through a Lockean social contract.
Originally posted by sh76You're going down the "well why not to ridiculous extremes" road and it's not conducive to a real conversation. You can essencially use that same, twisted false equivelancy against any government funded services. "Why should I have to pay for someone else's kids to go to school? What, should I pay his rent while I'm at it?"
Frankly, I don't see why transportation should be a right. People need to go places to survive. The government should set up free trains and buses. But if you live in a rural area, it's probably cheaper just to buy you a car. With gas prices what they are, people are struggling to get from place to place.
Why isn't affordable housing a right? Don't people ne ...[text shortened]... s until one realizes that someone has to actually produce all this crap we're giving out.
In the case of our health care system, we're only modern country with for-profit healthcare, we have tens of millions of citizens without access to healthcare, we pay double and more than other counties that cover everyone and we rank very low on health related statistics.
Originally posted by FMFI mean that government can make the choice to tax and spend for a particular purpose. However, no one has the right to demand such. If, for example, the government chooses not to tax and spend for healthcare, no one's rights have been violated. They cannot sue the government for failing to provide healthcare. ergo, it is not a right.
Yes. I know that. Society has a right to collect taxes. We agree. So what did you mean by "...there is no such thing as a "right" to stick your hand in someone else's pocket"?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperAt best, that means that our current system is a bad idea and should be changed. It does not mean that anyone has a right to demand that healthcare be provided on a theory of individual rights.
You're going down the "well why not to ridiculous extremes" road and it's not conducive to a real conversation. You can essencially use that same, twisted false equivelancy against any government funded services. "Why should I have to pay for someone else's kids to go to school? What, should I pay his rent while I'm at it?"
In the case of our h ...[text shortened]... n other counties that cover everyone and we rank very low on health related statistics.