In our current political climate of socialist legislation and administrative policies that are by any measure or poll clearly out of step with the majority of voters, it is no wonder that this political petrie dish has spawned a vocal minority claiming, without a nod to either the Constitution or any founding document, that health care is a right and not a privilege.

Indeed, having to argue or debate that health care for all is a privilege is obviously an unpopular position to take, especially in a country that is temporarily taken by facile notions of economic justice and a decidedly negative position in all matters concerning free markets and private enterprise.

But here lies the folly of any socialist endeavor. It begins with good intent and vocal assertions about equality and social justice, but, as history has shown, is never, ever effective in “delivering the goods”. We are fortunate to live in a world choking on examples where socialism has been tried in many flavors and always to the same general ends: the poor remain poor, a small cadre of officials enjoy the wealth, and the band plays on. *Note to Liberals: If U can point to a single, successful, socialized country that is larger than New Jersey and half as culturally diverse as the U.S., please do let me know.

So, to the issue of health care being a right and not a privilege, you must keep in mind that the word “privilege” brings with it no small amount of baggage. There is the “privileged elite” for example. It conjures up notions of the upper crust enjoying personal bedside doctor care while the masses are dying on the streets, exempt from such treatment.

But as we know that is not the case in this country. Between Medicaid, SCHIP and a plethora of other federal and state-specific programs, not to mention the ever-present emergency room, everyone in this country, including those who are here illegally, receive health care.

The Constitution took a very non-partisan, frontier attitude regarding that which should be guaranteed. It states simply that we are given the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Furthermore, these rights are bestowed to us by God, so they cannot be taken away. That’s it. That’s all there is. Anything beyond that is merely an effort to rewrite history, or simply repeat a lie long enough until it is believed.

But I ask you, where would it end? Let’s say health care is indeed a right. It’s a feel-good position that is easy to argue. But those who think this way surely could not allow anyone to be cold in the winter, right? So, would not “heat” be a right? Shouldn’t people have the “right” to a warm home in the winter, and for that matter a “cool” home in the summer? Would it not be cruel to deprive one of the right for quality propane, oil or air-conditioning?

It is a very small step from a “right” to health care to proclaiming a right to a home. How could you possibly deny anyone in this country the right to their own home! And if you expect people to get to work and be productive, surely you would agree that everyone have a “right” to personal transportation.

While we are at it, you must also agree to a right to basic food essentials. How can a civilized society expect its citizens to not be guaranteed basic food stuffs. So of course you would agree that it is a fundamental right that every American citizen be provided a weekly supply of food, because food is so very basic to survival.

Well you see where this is going. The moment you disrespect the founding documents, once you re-imagine the English language, once you remove God from courts and schools, you have to replace it with something, and that would be the State. The State becomes the highest power, and unlike God’s inalienable rights, the State can take your rights away.

The entire argument, while foolish on its face, is instructive because it has been played out so many times, in so many countries, and it never ends well.

If you still remain unconvinced, just consider the simple math involved in maintaining an entitlement society where no one escapes the gifts of the State and , in time, no one aspires for anything more than the basics.

Remove the incentive to excel, or, to put it another way, penalize those who dream and risk their own money for something more than mere survival, and you are left with masses of people who feel entitled, not inspired.

Economic Justice is a euphemism for we-all-suffer-equally-in-the-collective-pain-of-the-state.