Recently I read an exchange of ideas on a popular social networking site pertaining to the hot and heavy health care debate being waged currently in our country. There was one individual who was staunchly arguing that the role of government is precisely to regulate in matters such as these. He said:
"What is wrong with the government setting up regulations? Most people don't seem to mind when the government makes laws about murder, crime, rape or other things criminals like to do. Your government is there to protect you."
Without bringing up the glaring differences which exist between laws protecting inalienable rights such as life (protection from being murdered) compared to privileges such as health care, I submitted one post which has been inserted below:
"I don’t want to write a novel or hijack this thread, but let me just say that your view on the proper role of government is inaccurate to say the least Sean.
After having read your posts, it seems that you think the proper role of government is to ensure justice reigns. This might seem fine at first glance but this proactive approach can’t exist without infringing on the very liberties our government has been established to protect. The correct and proper role of government is to prevent injustice from reigning. By preventing injustice from reigning, our liberty remains untouched by a potentially tyrannical government. For a more complete study on this topic, I suggest you read “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat (a Frenchman from the mid 1800’s with a profound respect for America).
What is being proposed currently regarding health care WILL rob us (citizens) of our hard earned property (money) by forcing us to pay for a plan that the majority of us (according to every major poll I have seen) does not wish to have established.
“Reaching into one's own pockets to assist his fellow man in need is praiseworthy and laudable. Reaching into someone else’s pockets to do so is despicable and deserves condemnation.” –Walter E. Williams
Feel free to give me any feedback you might have on my comment. Before being too harsh, keep in mind that I made the post quite late at night and therefore had to spew it out rather hastily! I did feel the need to say something nonetheless.
Thanks,
AL
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Abraham, this is a great post !!! Citing Bastiat is always a winner !!
ReplyDeleteYour writing is excellent !!!
Every time a law is passed a freedom disappears.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read over it I realize how much I left out but I think the main point I wanted to convey was made.
ReplyDeleteI also think there is a confusion between "Health Care" and "Medical Care". As a nation we do a horrible job taking care of our health (looking at our obesity rates, drug addiction rates, etc.). I think our Medical Care is top notch though. Our doctors are trained well and our technology is second to none.