Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Health Care and the Left's Perverted Definition of "Rights"
BigGovernment.com ^ | 3/6/2010 | Kerry J. Byrne

Posted on 03/06/2010 1:05:31 PM PST by GVnana

One way that leftists have managed to keep alive their dead, defeated, bankrupting theories on issues like so-called health care is by perverting the definition of very basic terms.

The word “right” is one of the most glaring examples of a definition that’s been distorted by the intellectual house-of-horrors mirror that is leftist theory.

Every American has the “right” to health care they argue.

They’re right. Every American does have a right to health care. In fact, they have that “right” right now. They have the right to buy insurance. They have the right to not buy insurance. They have the right to pay out of pocket. They have the right get a second opinion. They have the right to rub a little dirt on it and suck it up. They have a right to help out a friend in need.

What they don’t have is the “right” to health care in the perverted leftist sense of the word.

A “right,” in the traditional American lexicon laid out by the likes of Thomas Jefferson, is something that exists by virtue of our humanity. It is “inalienable” and we are endowed with these rights by our creator. No government or institution has the power to take away these rights. You exist, therefore these rights exist.

In the leftist sense of the word, though, a “right” is something very different. In fact, it’s not a “right” at all: it’s a handout provided to you by government, often at exorbitant costs to society.

“I have the ‘right’ to health care!” the leftists demand angrily. “Therefore, the government must provide it for me!”

(Excerpt) Read more at biggovernment.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last
I have the right to keep you out of my wallet. (I think.)
1 posted on 03/06/2010 1:05:31 PM PST by GVnana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: GVnana

I have a right to own a gun...I’m a little short of cash right now...will the government arrange that one be delivered to me?


2 posted on 03/06/2010 1:08:15 PM PST by jessduntno (They'll get my false teeth when they pry them from my sister's cold, dead mouth!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana
Healthcare is a "good" and not a "right".

As a good, it is up to individuals to place it in the hierarchy of goods and decide for themselves how aggressively to pursue it based on their perception of its value.

It most certainly is not a "right" as defined by the Constitution and bestowed on man by God.

3 posted on 03/06/2010 1:08:28 PM PST by johniegrad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

They seem to forget people have a choice; but that’s the lefty way; only one choice, one way.


4 posted on 03/06/2010 1:13:09 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

Good article!


5 posted on 03/06/2010 1:19:35 PM PST by Frank_2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

There is no right to health care.. but there is a right to complain about it!


6 posted on 03/06/2010 1:20:58 PM PST by pnut22
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: johniegrad

NEW NATIONAL HEALTH CARE PLAN

“It’s your right, it’s free, it’s in the constitution”

List of Benefits


You no longer decide whether to pay for health care, and how much. Everyone is a member. Everyone. Enrollment is free.

You no longer decide what doctor to see. We do that for you.

You no longer have to worry about your doctor’s skill level. All ‘our’ doctors are government employees and union-organized.

You no longer have to decide what kind/type of coverage you should purchase. We decide what kind of health care you need and when. And how long.

Should we decide not to cover your needs, you must still pay. Payments must be kept current, even up to pre-scheduled deathtime.

Payment will be taken out of your income, deducted from your paychecks, along with taxes and surcharges.


How could any of this go wrong?


7 posted on 03/06/2010 1:29:17 PM PST by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

The Left’s “perverted definition” of rights? Add it to the list... definition of morality, diplomacy, bipartisanship...


8 posted on 03/06/2010 1:34:17 PM PST by Common Sense 101
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana
A “right,” in the traditional American lexicon laid out by the likes of Thomas Jefferson, is something that exists by virtue of our humanity. It is “inalienable” and we are endowed with these rights by our creator. No government or institution has the power to take away these rights. You exist, therefore these rights exist.

Not quite enough for this discussion. What this addresses is natural or inalienable rights. It's not bad as far as it goes in that vein, except for the claim that no government or institution has the power to take away these rights. I believe Governments and institutions use their power to take rights away on a regular basis. Of course that doesn't mean that said power is legitimate or used legitimately, but it is used.

But there are various types of rights, which is something that needs to be recognized when discussing rights. Here is a definition from Webster's 1828 dictionary, which is as close as I have found to the time of the Founders:

RIGHT.n.

10. Just claim; immunity; privilege. All men have a right to the secure enjoyment of life, personal safety, liberty and property. We deem the right of trial by jury invaluable, particularly in the case of crimes. Rights are natural, civil, political, religious, personal, and public.

(Note that this is the tenth definition and the others are excluded here as not applicable to this discussion.)

As shown there are various kinds of rights besides natural or unalienable. One can have a natural right to life, but not a natural right to a trial by jury. There are no jury trials absent an organized society that incorporates a civil or legal right to a trial by jury in its legal system.

There are also contract rights. And one could have a contract right to health care if, for instance, one had an employment contract with a hospital which entitled one to said health care as a benefit.

We do not have a natural right to health care, except maybe what we can do for ourselves. There is really no way that we can be given a natural right to health care.

The liberals want to establish a legal or civil right to health care. I think what they want to do is a bad idea.

9 posted on 03/06/2010 2:07:46 PM PST by KrisKrinkle (Blessed be those who know the depth and breadth of their ignorance. Cursed be those who don't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana
Any “right” that costs anyone else one red cent isn't a right, it's a handout! Agreed, we all have a right to choose; insurance, Doctors, Hospitals etc., just as any other consumer item. Why do the leftist whackos not get this????
10 posted on 03/06/2010 2:09:18 PM PST by BatGuano (You don't think I'd go into combat with loose change in my pocket, do ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Common Sense 101
Add it to the list... definition of morality, diplomacy, bipartisanship.

transparency, ethical, legal, constitutional.

11 posted on 03/06/2010 2:15:11 PM PST by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: BatGuano
Why do the leftist whackos not get this????

"Freedom of choice is what you got. Freedom from choice is what you want."

DEVO

12 posted on 03/06/2010 2:17:51 PM PST by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

If other people have to pay for it, its not a right


13 posted on 03/06/2010 2:18:06 PM PST by GeronL (I Own Me (yep, boiled down to 6 letters))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KrisKrinkle
I think the author covered it with "inalienable" rights -- those that CANNOT be bestowed upon an individual by a government, and -- by our constitution -- cannot be taken away except in the case of capital crimes.

The right to contract covers transactions between consenting parties. Hardly the magnitude of "god-given, inviolate" rights.

Lefties get these two things confused. Probably because they're educated in public schools and don't believe in using dictionaries. :)

14 posted on 03/06/2010 2:24:21 PM PST by GVnana ("Obama is incredibly naive and grossly egotistical." Sarkozy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

Obama has determined that individual have no rights and that this is critically needed to better serve the greater good.

And there are many people who still do not think he is a Communist?

Te only thing that comes between him and his Statest Dream for America is the Constitution and I’m sure he’s working on that right now.


15 posted on 03/06/2010 2:39:06 PM PST by R0CK3T
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

It is a right to keep what we earn and a right to spend it as WE wish. That seems basic.

As it is now framed, the so called “right” to health care will deny us the right to NOT buy insurance. How very odd for a right to be forced upon us. If we look at rights the way they do then the 2nd amendment requires the government to provide each of us with a gun at our own expense? Their logic is nonexistent.


16 posted on 03/06/2010 2:41:19 PM PST by Anima Mundi (The trouble with trouble is it starts out as Utopia)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2

I want Freedom from choice? No thanks.


17 posted on 03/06/2010 4:47:30 PM PST by BatGuano (You don't think I'd go into combat with loose change in my pocket, do ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

Obama says: “We all have Rights to things.”

Obama means: Repeal the 13th Amendment. Surrender your work products. Let’s treat each other like slaves.


18 posted on 03/06/2010 5:21:36 PM PST by 4Liberty ( we have a rat problem .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GVnana

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” ~~ President Ronald Reagan

OBAMANOMICS—TRICKLE DOWN DESTRUCTION of the economy

Bambi doesn’t keep his promises...so buyer beware!

SET THEIR LOCAL AND DC LINES ON FIRE!

PLEASE ASK THEM TO REPEAL THE BIG NEW FEES in TRICARE for Life, the retired Military over 65 secondary health ins. which they passed in a DOD bill. They promised our Military these benefits, and our Military have earned them.

Sen Scott Brown’s number is 202-224-4543
Capitol Hill switchboard is 202-224-3121

Lots of local demwit phone numbers on this thread
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2408217/posts

Rename, repackage, rewrite it a tad smaller, and sell another pig in a poke. NO COLAs for granny, retired Military or retired fed employees. BIG NEW fees for Tricare for Life retired over 65 Military’s secondary health ins. (DOD bill already passed, delayed but goes into effect 2011 NEEDS TO BE REPEALED!
..............................

OBAMA’s WAR ON SENIORS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2433867/posts/

New Dem mantra: Woof, woof eat dog food granny....ala let them eat cake.

Obama says slight fix will extend Social Security, http://townhall.com/news/us/2010/02/19/obama_says_slight_fix_will_extend_social_security

Health Care Rationing for Seniors Another Problem in New Obama Plan http://www.lifenews.com/bio3058.html

Medicare tax may apply to investment income (ObamaCare tax hike)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2460988/posts

Obama: No reduced Medicare benefits in health care reform
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/28/obama.health.care/index.html

Will healthcare reform mean cuts in Medicare for seniors?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2009/1017/will-healthcare-reform-mean-cuts-in-medicare-for-seniors

Health Reform’s Hidden Victims Young people and seniors would pay a high price for ObamaCare.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203517304574306303720472842.html

.......................

SOCIALIZED MED THREAD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2464538/posts
...........................

MILITARY & Retired MILITARY
Veterans’ G.I. Bill benefits MIA
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2464680/posts
TRI CARE FOR LIFE This from a google search:

http://economicspolitics.blogspot.com/2009/05/tricare-for-life-is-obama-trying-to.html

This option would help reduce the costs of TFL, as well as costs for Medicare, by introducing minimum out-of pocket requirements for beneficiaries. Under this option, TFL would not cover any of the first $525 of an enrollee’s cost-sharing liabilities for calendar year 2011 and would limit coverage to 50 percent of the next $4,725 in Medicare cost sharing that the beneficiary incurred. (Because all further cost sharing would be covered by TFL, enrollees could not pay more than $2,888 in cost sharing in that year.) http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9925/12-18-HealthOptions.pdf

Bill Would Restrict Veterans’ Health Care Options 11/06/09
Buyer and McKeon Offer Amendments to Protect Veterans and TRICARE Beneficiaries

Congress plans to block Tricare fee increases
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/military_tricarefees_blocked_100709w
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/10/military_tricarefees_blocked_100709w/

By Rick Maze - Staff writer, Oct 7, 2009

Tricare fee increases imposed last week by the Defense Department will be repealed by a provision of the compromise 2010 defense authorization bill unveiled Wednesday by House and Senate negotiators.

The fee increases were announced on Sept. 30 and took effect on Oct. 1, but the defense bill, HR 2647, includes a provision barring any fee increases until the start of fiscal 2011.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Bill Matz, president of the National Association for Uniformed Services, said the announcement of fee increases was shocking considering that the Obama administration promised earlier this year to hold off on any new fee Tricare fee increases until fiscal 2011.

“President Obama and DoD assured NAUS and the entire military family earlier this year that there would rightly be no increases in any Tricare fees” in fiscal 2010, Matz said. “We took them at their word, and I can’t believe that a co-pay increase like this was allowed to go forward,” he added.


19 posted on 03/06/2010 5:59:28 PM PST by GailA (obamacare paid for by cuts & taxes on most vulnerable Veterans, disabled,seniors & retired Military)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2

Obamacare call list: Courtsey of TN Eagle Forum:

PLEASE CALL! DC OFFICE LOCAL OFFICE State District
Harry Mitchell (202) 225-2190 (480) 946-2411 AZ 5th District
Gabrielle Giffords (202) 225-2542 (520) 881-3588 AZ 8th District
Ann Kirkpatrick (202) 225-2315 (928) 226-6914 AZ 1st District
Jerry McNerney (202) 225-1947 925-833-0643 CA 11th District
John Salazar 202-225-4761 970-245-7107 CO 3rd District
Jim Himes (202) 225-5541 (866) 453-0028 CT 4th District
Alan Grayson (202) 225-2176 (407) 841-1757 FL 8th District
Bill Foster (202) 225-2976 630-406-1114 IL 14th District
Baron Hill 202 225 5315 812 288 3999 IN 9th District
Mark Schauer (202) 225-6276 (517) 780-9075 MI 7th District
Gary Peters (202) 225-5802 (248) 273-4227 MI 9th District
Dina Titus (202) 225-3252 702-256-DINA (3462) NV 3rd District
Carol Shea-Porter (202) 225-5456 (603) 743-4813 NH 1st District
Tim Bishop (202) 225-3826 (631) 696-6500 NY 1st District
John Hall (202) 225-5441 (845) 225-3641 x49371 NY 19th District
Bill Owens (202) 225-4611 (315) 782-3150 NY 23rd District
Mike Arcuri (202)225-3665 (315)793-8146 NY 24th District
Dan Maffei (202) 225-3701 (315) 423-5657 NY 25th District
Earl Pomeroy (202) 225-2611 (701) 224-0355 ND At-Large District
Steven Driehaus (202) 225-2216 (513) 684-2723 OH 1st District
Mary Jo Kilroy (202) 225-2015 (614) 294-2196 OH 15th District
Zach Space (202) 225-6265 (330) 364-4300 OH 18th District
Kathy Dahlkemper (202) 225-5406 (814) 456-2038 PA 3rd District
Patrick Murphy (202) 225-4276 (215) 826-1963 PA 8th District
Christopher Carney (202) 225-3731 (570) 585-9988 PA 10th District
Paul Kanjorski (202) 225-6511 (570) 825-2200 PA 11th District
John Spratt (202) 225-5501 (803)327-1114 SC 5th District
Tom Perriello (202) 225-4711 (276) 656-2291 VA 5th District
Alan Mollohan (202) 225-4172 (304) 623-4422 WVA 1st District
Nick Rahall (202) 225-3452 (304) 252-5000 WVA 3rd District
Steve Kagen (202) 225-5665 (920) 437-1954 WI 8th District
Bart Gordon (202) 225-4231 TN
Bart Stupak (202) 225 4735 MI
senator mark begich (202) 224-3004 toll free. (877) 501 - 6275 just became a MAYBE


20 posted on 03/06/2010 6:02:51 PM PST by GailA (obamacare paid for by cuts & taxes on most vulnerable Veterans, disabled,seniors & retired Military)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson