On Health Care - a Question from a Close Friend

“Do you believe health care is a right of every American, just as a right to trial by jury?”

And the answer from my wife:

Meaning can you ask the courts for redress because you do not have health care?  No – it is
not a constitutional right.

Is a basic level of health care a commitment that we should be willing to afford to all citizens by virtue of our social contract?  Yes.

Would that commitment be an act of socialism?  Yes. 
Is it a smart and valid use of socialism?  Yes.

Is Medicare/Medicaid an act of socialism?  Yes.
Is it a smart and valid use of socialism?  Yes.

Is Social Security an act of socialism?  Yes.
Is it a smart and valid use of socialism?  Yes.

Is VA Health Care an act of socialism?  Yes.
Is it a smart and valid use of socialism?  Yes.

Is unemployment an act of socialism?  Yes.
Is it a smart and valid use of socialism?  Yes.

Do those commitments to each other make us a Socialist State?  No.

The U.S. is a republic with a representative democracy form of government.  We are also a capitalist economy.  That does not confer on each individual that they are autonomous and an island unto themselves, merely sharing physical real estate within the confines of the land mass between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

There is a social compact and that compact changes with time.  Over time we've added the above to our compact.  Do I believe it is time to add basic healthcare for all?  Yes.  If we have it for the old (Medicare); the destitute (Medicaid); veterans (VA Care) – why is it not time to have it for all?  In my opinion, it is a moral imperative.

I do not need anyone to "give us back our country" because it didn't go anywhere. We continue to be the living, dynamic society we have always been, continually evolving and perfecting our union.

You asked – I opined :)

Well said, Nancy.