Posted by
Mike on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 1:17:17 PM
http://westernperspective.blogspot.com/
Opposition to reasonable health care reform and support for legalized
abortion are really two sides of the same coin. They both reject human
solidarity. They both view life as a zero-sum game.
There can be
no solidarity without deference to subsidiarity. All persons in society
have a basic right to health care as a matter of social justice, which
includes the corresponding responsibility of all to contribute in some
way to the common good. Basic medical care should be provided first at
the local level, and only receiving state assistance when the standard
of care falls below normal. Capitalism tends to exalt personal choice
above the common good, which is a form of libertarianism and leads to a
decrease in the overall standard of care.
In actuality, there
are two rights which are the subject of the debate. The first is the
right to life, without which no other rights can be realized. This
means that abortion is not legitimate health care because it denies
human beings the fundamental right to life. Abortion and legitimate
health care are polar opposites.
The second right that must be
secured is the right of all to basic health care. Each individual who
actively participates as a member of society has this right. This also
includes immigrants here legally, but not immigrants here through
subterfuge. Of course, local governments may nonetheless require that
emergency services be provided even to those here through subterfuge
for the common good of all.
These two fundamental rights are not
opposed to each other. There is no reason why the Senate and House
cannot together pass legislation that protects the life of the unborn
and at the same time makes sure that the right to basic health care is
insured where necessary.