[clue-talk] The stimulus bill

[Nate Duehr]

On Feb 6, 2009, at 5:42 PM, Jed S. Baer wrote:

> We The People, in consituting this nation, ceded certain powers to the
> government, and gave it jobs to do. Defending the borders is one such
> job. However, that does not confer a right. Perhaps an entitlement,  
> but
> not a right.

Totally understand and agreed, I just used the term "right" since  
right now, today -- there's an expectation (Miranda "Rights") that the  
court will appoint a defense attorney for you.  Society could choose  
to change that, but for now... I consider it a "right"... with  
quotation marks.

> Consider, if giving the government a job can result in something  
> becoming
> a right, then if we foolishly decide the government should provide or
> "pay for" health care, then suddenly health care becomes a right. Same
> thing for "everyone has a right to a job" or housing, or pet  
> salamanders.

Agreed.  Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness.  No one promised  
that you'll BE happy.  That one comes easier if you stop worrying  
about what others owe you and go make your own life...

> Also, the gentlemen who founded this country were, for the most part,
> extremely distrustful of standing armies. The idea was that the  
> Congress
> would have the power to call upon the militia when necessary. So,  
> defense
> of country was more of a duty upon all able-bodied men.

Totally understand.  I knew you'd keep us straight on the "standing  
Army" part of things, which is why I used the phrase.  It would perk  
up the ears of the better Constitutional scholars in the discussion  
here.  I figure again, like the defense attorney, that a standing army  
is something people PROBABLY right now in our history believe is a  
"right", also.  Semantics and maybe unfortunately, the Constitution  
aside...

Thanks for keepin' it real, Jed.

Nate