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There is a viewpoint, and it is strongest in Europe, that human rights extend to the basics of civilized human existence; that food, shelter and medical care ar
by olefoo 17y ago
There is a viewpoint, and it is strongest in Europe, that human rights extend to the basics of civilized human existence; that food, shelter and medical care are basic necessities that a society must provide for it's citizens if it is to be considered civilized. The purest expression of this can be found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ (see section 25) but it is also enshrined in national constitutions the world over.
At the root of this viewpoint is the understanding that the citizens of a nation depend upon each other and have a duty to each other.
This is clearly at odds with the modern American viewpoint which declares each individual to be utterly responsible for his own welfare. As Americans we are not in this together, we are each struggling separately.
And it is readily apparent that we are willing to sacrifice any principle on the altar of our individualism. This country (my country) openly condones torture, the bombing of civilian populations, extrajudicial imprisonment and the murder of political dissidents; all in the name of Individual Liberty.
It is less surprising that we cannot do what most of Europe regards as the sane and sanitary solution to ensuring the health of the nation; and more surprising that we aren't busy legalizing the hunting of the homeless and the use of the indigent as pet food.
- ryanwaggoner 17y agoThis is clearly at odds with the modern American viewpoint which declares each individual to be utterly responsible for his own welfare. As Americans we are not in this together, we are each struggling separately. I understand the point that you're trying to make, but you're misrepresenting things. American culture is decidedly more individualistic than Europe's, but its unfair to characterize us as "not in it together", either as a whole or when referring to the libertarian argument that you're attempting to refute. There's no honor in being forced to watch out for your neighbor, and in the long run, it creates problems of moral hazard where you expect that someone should be taking care of whatever problem you have at the moment. This country (my country) openly condones torture, the bombing of civilian populations, extrajudicial imprisonment and the murder of political dissidents; all in the name of Individual Liberty. This is where you really lost me. Those things have not been done in the name or spirit of individual liberty. Quite the opposite: they represent an egregious breach of the individual liberties we're entitled to under the Constitution. Not sure how you managed to twist this issue up to be an example in your mind of the supposed dangers of individual liberty. ...and more surprising that we aren't busy legalizing the hunting of the homeless and the use of the indigent as pet food. Thanks for making my point about over-the-top rhetoric. Have you been to Europe, by the way? I lived there for years, and they've got their own set of problems, I assure you.
- olefoo 17y agoAs near as I can tell, the official definition of Rugged American Individualism requires that it's practitioner be a healthy white male with a net worth of more than $20,000. You can recognize one of these Rugged Individuals due to the products they consume, the (large) vehicles they drive. their devotion to their football team, and their reluctance to pay taxes for anything other than roads and weaponry. As such the systematic dismantling of our policies to prevent torture and hold torturers accountable; our eager rush into aggressive war and our continuing efforts to thwart prosecution of our own war criminals is perfectly comprehensible in the defense of the Rugged Individualist Lifestyle. I am sorry that I did not adequately communicate the biting sarcasm that I habitually apply to our political discourse, or the barely repressed anger that I feel in my forced complicity in the crimes of America. In such light I think that your inability to see the swiftian satire I intended to lighten the last line of my last post is perfectly comprehensible.
- Klondike 17y agoDude, I'm a public-option-supporting liberal and all that but you've even lost me. Chill out.
- ckinnan 17y agoThis is a factually incorrect description of the U.S. America already has massive government-provided health care systems for children, the poor, and the elderly.