I just reponded to this post over at the Cabal:
The following is a list, a second bill of rights or “economic bill of rights”, proposed by FDR.
*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
*The right of every family to a decent home;
*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
*The right to a good education.
[...]
My response:
Not sure if this has already been covered, but if it has, I doubt this tersely:
This Country was founded on “negative rights”–the right to be left alone, unmolested, protected from force and fraud, etc. What FDR was asserting [and every entitlement program implicitly is founded on] were and are “positive rights”–the right to get stuff. Unfortunately, “stuff”– is not free and taxes are taken by force. Therefore every “positive” right is ultimately provided at the cost of infringing on another’s negative rights–the basic rights of true liberty. Again, the rights that this Country is founded on.
Ultimately, every time we are voting for an increase of benefits or services, we are authorizing the use of force against our neighbor to fund those programs or services.
While my heart goes out to everyone in need, I suggest those of a truly activist mindset go start a non-profit and use that as a vehicle for community action to help those in need, rather than suggesting I put a gun to my neighbor’s head for this pet program or that through the removed agent of my elected representative.
Go check out Cabal for good, reasoned debate.
July 6th, 2005 | Economics