“I’ll tell you what your rights are. You have a right to live free, and to the results of your labor. I’ll also tell you that you have no right to any portion of the life or labor of another.
“You may, for instance, think that you have a right to health care. After all, Hillary said so, didn’t she? But you cannot receive health care unless some doctor or health practitioner surrenders some of his time - his life - to you. He may be willing to do this for compensation, but that’s his choice. You have no “right” to his time or property.” -Neal Boortz, from his famous undelivered commencement speech.
…….
Do you have a “right” to something which someone else must provide?
From Capitalism Magazine, Dr. Walter Wlliams, Rights vs. Wishes:
As human beings, we all have certain unalienable rights. Of the rights we possess, we have a right to delegate to government. For example, we all have a right to defend ourselves against predators. Since we possess that right, we can delegate it to government. In other words, we can say to government, “We have the right to defend ourselves, but for a more orderly society, we give you the authority to defend us.”
By contrast, I don’t possess the right to take your earnings for any reason. Since I have no such right, I cannot delegate it to government. If I did take your earnings for housing and medical services, it would rightfully be described as an act of theft. When government does it, it’s still theft — the only difference is that it’s legalized theft sanctioned by a majority vote.
Decent housing, good medical care and decent jobs are not rights at all, at least not in a free society — they’re wishes.
David Kelley of the Objectivist Center:
Health care does not grow on trees or fall from the sky. The assertion of a right to medical care does not guarantee that there is going to be any health care to distribute. The partisans of these rights demand, with air of moral righteousness, that everyone have access to this good. But a demand does not create anything. Health care has to be produced by someone, and paid for by someone.
Artist’s note: The role of the democrat party during the American War Between the States seems to be disappearing from many history books these days. Make up your own mind as to why, but every once in a while a reminder is needed.
For more on congressman Clement Vallandigham (D, Ohio), visit this page.