Previous

Contents

Next

Slavery is Illegal. That Negates the Entire "Healthcare is a right, pay for it, taxpayers!" Argument
by Neale Osborn
[email protected]

Attribute to L. Neil Smith's The Libertarian Enterprise

I REALLY love this quote—

"A right, such as a right to free speech, imposes no obligation on another, except that of non-interference. The so-called right to health care, food or housing, whether a person can afford it or not, is something entirely different; it does impose an obligation on another. If one person has a right to something he didn't produce, simultaneously and of necessity it means that some other person does not have right to something he did produce. That's because, since there's no Santa Claus or Tooth Fairy, in order for government to give one American a dollar, it must, through intimidation, threats and coercion, confiscate that dollar from some other American."
—Economist Dr. Walter Williams

This is so true. What POSSIBLE right grants you the power to infringe upon another person's right to THEIR property or liberty? Does my right to own a gun mandate that others provide me the gun? No. Does my right to free speech mandate that others must permit me to write my opinions in THEIR magazines, forums, or newspapers? No. Does my right to practice a religion freely grant me the right to force OTHERS to join my faith or face the sword? No. Does my right to be secure in my home grant me the right to destroy the homes of others who make me feel insecure? No. A right is yours, to exercise or not, as long as you do not violate the rights of others. A fear of the exercising of a right does not grant a right to deny others their rights.

Dr. Williams is dead on accurate when he says that forcing another to pay for YOUR right is slavery. I have said it elsewhere, but never as eloquently as the good doctor. IF there is a right to healthcare, (there isn't, there is a right to PURCHASE healthcare if you can afford it) it does not grant you a right to force OTHERS to provide it to you. After all, working without recompense is slavery if it is not voluntary. And I do NOT volunteer to work for YOUR healthcare, your food, your housing, or your children's schooling. And thus, you are trying to enslave me. and the 13th Amendment abolished slavery EXCEPT as punishment for a crime.

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Involuntary servitude is prohibited along with slavery. so, unless I CHOOSE to work to provide you food, shelter, medical care, or schooling, you have no right to it. And that, dear reader, is the truth no matter how some may twist it. Oh, one more thing—Choosing to work for a living DOES NOT CONSTITUTE choosing or consenting to pay for these items. Do not even try that argument.

Was that worth reading?
Then why not: