A right vs. a Right?

I’ve been pondering this question about a healthcare “right” and how to better understand it. GOA and JPFO have done a good job of explaining the threat to gun rights if the government should run the healthcare industry. I’m sure I’m not the first guy to think of it this way: If healthcare is a “right” and the government is obligated to provide or enforce this “right”, then why is the government not providing for, or enforcing upon each of us the right to keep and bear arms? (An answer later)

If we have Miranda rights (right to an attorney and if you can’t afford one, one will be provided for you…), why can’t the same be said for the 2nd Amendment? That question is for another essay, but the point I’m trying to make is if a right is so important, then why isn’t the government busting the budget to make sure we have all of our rights? I turned of age 20 years ago and I’m still waiting for my battle rifle from Uncle Sam.

Going back to the Declaration of Independence: “…That to secure these Rights [Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness], Governments are instituted among Men…” is the key. “Secure” has been perverted to “provide”. But not for all rights, only the chosen rights. Should the government provide people with bullhorns and printing presses for free speech and the press? No. What about building houses of worship? Of course not. The enumerated Bill of Rights and those listed in the Declaration aren’t about the government making sure you practice your rights. It was for keeping government from interfering with our preexisting rights. We all know that, right? Unless you are a member of Congress. For a list of other rights, please see former Sen. Edwards.

So regarding the upcoming Obama-Care: If healthcare is such an important “right” that the federal government should provide access to healthcare, then why isn’t the government providing access to quality firearms matching those carried by our armed forces? If your representative is honest, then you should be receiving your M-16 soon. But if they are like mine, you will probably be labeled a terrorist and no further townhall meetings are allowed.

Truthfully, I haven’t posed that question to my representative. He doesn’t hold town-hall meetings, only conference calls that you must register for and they are limited. (Too bad they don’t enforce the “redress of grievances” right.) I did, however, ask that question to my sons. My 15 year-old answered - “Because healthcare is about control and firearms are about independence.”

This gives me hope that my sons will become better men than I.

It's time to get off the sidelines

We all know someone who leaves the heavy work for others. The guy who comes up with an idea but never shows up to carry his part of the load. They promise to be there but always show up late after the clean up is done.

Well, lately, I've been one of those guys.

I let others speak for me while I kept silent.
I let others toil while I sat in the shade.
I squandered the opportunity that was given to me.

I may have arrived late, but dammit, I'm here.

And I'm here writing what I think. But I'm also going to be out there, putting in my share of the load. Look for me at a townhall meeting lifting my voice with others or carrying that sign that makes people uncomfortable. My First Amendment won't be limited to blips on a computer screen.

My voice has been added to millions of others. You may agree/disagree or you may never read me. You may consider my words irrelevant, tripe or crap. I've called what others write the same things. And if you like what I write or say, let me know and I may continue. If you don't like it, let me know, too and I will continue...

I've let others stick their necks out, it's past time I did the same.