General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We have a "right" to own guns, but not a right to health care, food, shelter, clothing, employment [View all]NutmegYankee
(16,484 posts)The 2nd exists because the hostilities between the Colonists and the British broke out over seizure of weapons and powder. Lexington and Concord were fought over weapons caches, particularly powder stores - The British sought to seize them and the Colonists wanted to protect them. So the Bill of Rights limited the Government from being able to do that, not unlike the 3rd limited the Government from housing soldiers in our homes.
You can't have arms taken from you, but the Government isn't required to provide them either. If you can't afford to buy a gun, you don't have one.
Now, I think we should make equal access to Government funded Healthcare a right. I want single payer! In single payer you pay for the insurance through taxes and every citizen is covered.
As for food, shelter, clothing and employment, Natural Rights has never claimed that these are owed to you just for existing. You should have equal access to them, but they are bought or rented rather than provided. And a lot of that is based on our market system and choice. You choose the food to eat and the clothes you want to wear.
Now, based on the General Welfare clause, we as a society have decided to create social safety nets that provide a minimum to ensure that a family doesn't starve. This was a great Liberal advance, now somewhat stalling under recent reactionary attack, that improved the lives of millions. But we as a culture and society has never believed that you are "owed" these things. We on the left just work our asses off to provide equal opportunity, ensuring fair pay for work and living wages.