Tuesday,  December 10 , 2024

Linkedin Pinterest
Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Health care is not a right

By James Ault, VANCOUVER
Published: June 6, 2017, 6:00am

Enlightened Western thought has concluded that human beings are endowed with certain rights via natural law. Governments are constituted to guarantee and protect these rights. Many are specifically listed to avoid ambiguity; such as the right to free speech, petition the government, trial by jury, being armed, etc. These are rights because people possess them without cost or obligation on themselves or others.

Health care, like housing, vehicles, college education and cellphones, are commodities. They maybe be supplied at minimal or no cost, but they are not free. Governments must forcibly extract wealth from some portion of the population and give it to others to supply these commodities. To describe merchandise as a fundamental right obscures the definition of both and can only work until the supplying portion drops below 50 percent of the population.

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Community Funded Journalism logo
Loading...