It's not quite the same as air, and people should pay for it if they can, to have it piped into their dwelling to run from the sink taps, flush and fill the toilet, bathtub/shower, washer if you are lucky enough to have one in your home. The only reason they should pay for it is because of maintenance costs in modern living. Renters can't dig a well in their back yard. There are no public pumps but there are hydrants but they can't open them all at once.
The possibly could catch rainwater but the PTB would squelch that in a hurry
All of those things you mentioned should be rights, just that you should work for them and pay for them yourself if you can. The plight of the poor has been made much worse these past several years. If people on welfare work for it by maybe babysitting, doing something they can do, then welfare takes it away from them so there is little incentive to work unless you can land a really good paying job, much better than minimum wage.
Well, I know what Jesus said, "I was thirsty and you gave me to drink." Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me. Does that mean if the poor aren't baptized and don't go to church or some other religion we shouldn't help them with water?
I saw this article on Detroit and the poor the other day, didn't have a knee jerk reaction one way or the other, need to think about it more, know specific reasons why they didn't pay the bills, etc. All I can think of is Jesse Ventura snooping around a swamp in Michigan near the great lakes, a Nestle plant pumping our water into huge floating bladders and shipping it to China.
I found this: "Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?".
I had geared up for a rant about that but no point in it. The only thing is I will not feel guilty for not taking strangers into my home and I never visited anyone in jail yet, not even my own kids who were in several times. I bailed them all out once and was done with it. Tough love.
The government, be it local, state, or federal produces nothing, and therefore has nothing to sell for profit. It must confiscate from you, and me property (earned wages are property) to give to others. That is not a legitimate, Constitutional function of government.
Government largess has caused the problem. “Look how good we are! We gave money to the poor!” Good intentions, right? We’re not allowed to talk of the consequences, because of political correctness. Glad I’m not PC;-)
This largess has successful destroyed the black family, and some whites. It has removed the father from the responsibility of raising a family, and child bearing into a hobby. Their condition of life is one borne of irresponsible behavior, bad decisions, choice, or a combination. Do I want to reward that? Not so much, but the government compels me to do so under threat of fines, or confinement.
If people were to take advantage of their freedom, and “play” by the rules of Common Law, everyone would benefit. Everyone providing for their own family, shelter, clothing, food, water. Yes there would be few, but some who couldn’t provide for themselves, and I think that’s where Isaiah’s admonition comes in play. I think it’s an admonition to individuals, not government.
I’ve had strays under my roof many times two legged, and four, and no strangers. The two legged provided labor for their keep, the four legged provided a big wet tongue, cold wet nose, and a tail wag for their’s....and security...keeping squirrels out of the garden:-)