Does the First Amendment Mean What It Says?

By: halsted (Diary)  |  April 20th at 09:11 PM  | 

The first amendment to the United States Constitution reads as follows: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. I was considering the arguments about separation of church | Read More »

Can the government force you to buy insurance?

By: halsted (Diary)  |  October 23rd at 12:51 AM  | 

I was commenting on the health care issue in a discussion about the “right” to health care. A rhetorical question I ask is whether the government is allowed by the Constitution to force individuals to purchase health insurance? Liberals almost always knee-jerk and state that the government requires auto insurance for all drivers. It is an apples/oranges comparison. You have no right to drive. You | Read More »

What Is A Right and Does Health Care Belong in That Discussion?

By: halsted (Diary)  |  October 22nd at 05:40 PM  | 

Recent political discussion has brought up the concept of the “right to health care”. It is the view of some folks that If there is something you need, you have a right to it. In order to have a “right”, first you need to understand what is meant by a right. Let’s start with this example: if you are hungry, do you have a right | Read More »