Who Values What

I fully agree. There's a quote popularly attributed to Tytler that I often use:

"When the people awaken to the fact that they can vote to themselves the largesse of the public treasury, democracies fail". Very a propos.

Here's a letter I wrote to the editor of my local newspaper today that's on-topic:

"Many people are talking about 'healthcare', and how 'the government' has some responsibility to step forward and make sure they have some form of 'affordable' insurance. Many letters to that effect have been published right here in The Signal.

"And under what constitutional theory do they make that assertion?

"What part of the Constitution authorizes the government to provide one with health insurance? If you can't afford health insurance, why is that any problem of mine as a taxpayer?

"Here's James Madison -- the 'Father of the Constitution' -- on the subject: 'I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents'.

"The Constitution guarantees equality of opportunity, not of outcome. Everyone has the same opportunity to buy the best insurance they can afford, and I’m sure that no matter what happens, Bill Gates is always going to be able to afford better health care than I can.

"Let’s look at this another way: I have a right to own a Porsche. I can't afford a Porsche. How do I get the government to buy a Porsche for me?"


This topic is actually one that I'll be touching on in my next essay, which I'll post toward the end of the week. You've already read my climate change essay. These are both part of a much larger issue that my next essay addresses.

You write beautifully, BTW. A real pleasure to read.