Joining in a similar comment made by Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN), conservative Republican Senator Jim DeMint declared that health care was a privilege for those Americans who can afford to pay for it, or who work for an employer willing to carry them, not a right for all.

In an interview with Charleston's Post and Carrier, a newspaper from DeMint's native South Carolina, the two-term Republican was asked whether her believed Americans had a right to health care.  DeMint replied, "I think health care is a privilege. I wouldn't call it a right."

Wamp, who is running for Governor of Tennessee in 2010, made the same comment earlier in the week, declaring that "health care is a privilege, not a right."

Their reasoning raises a few interesting questions: do children have a "right" to education?  Do people who can't afford to have 12-foot fences and alarm systems have a "right" to have their property protected by police?  And yet, both are essentially socialized services, paid for by the taxpayer and not necessarily used by all.  In those cases, as well as in health care, we're not talking about a benefit conferred by the Constitution.  Certainly in providing every individual the opportunity for free K-12 education, we're going far beyond the mandates of securing for American citizens the inalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  But in refusing to provide Americans with affordable options for health care- whether government-operated or private co-ops, both of which are vehemently opposed by the majority of Republicans- are average men and women not deprived of the "right" to life?  If the choice is made not by the individual, but rather superseded by the person's financial abilities and constraints, is that really a right at all?

He is scum..

The us is the only country that has people that will say this. Probably cause they are in the pockets of the insurance industry.

Electronic Cigarette

John K Website Link

We can't expect a heart-felt response for any social program from them.

CHEAPSTERS!

statements from these Republicans. It gives their opponents ad fodder for the upcoming elections. The Democratic party has been painted as being elite, big-government threats to small-town folks for too long. It's a laughable concept, given the history of the Republican party, and statements like these.

For Pete's sake, use this stuff to your advantage, Dems! An ad featuring children at health clinics waiting for services juxtaposed against footage of Wamp's condescending tripe about the "privilege of health care" is an easy win.

You have to start realizing that the American people, by and large, don't have time or an interest in learning the truth about complicated issues. It's time to start using sound bytes, because you're being destroyed by Republicans who wield this tactic.

and we don't? Sounds like he's a big town elitist. Take away his privilege.

I suppose that in some technical sense, Senator DeMint is correct about healthcare not being a "right." It is certainly not a "right" guaranteed by the Constitution. For that reason, it would be wrong for the Supreme Court to declare it a right, absent any legislation to that effect.

However, as many have noted, most, if not all, of the other industrialized democracies (and even some countries which are neither rich nor free) have basically declared access to decent healthcare to be a right for their citizens. The Consitution does not limit the rights of its citizens; it limits the authority of the government to encroach certain rights. Legislation can certainly add additional rights.

For all the bickering over the details of current healthcare reform proposals in Congress, I think there is a growing sense that healthcare SHOULD BE a right for U.S. citizens. I can respect those members of Congress who oppose a given healthcare reform proposal on the grounds of specific problems that might need to be corrected, but it is hard to defend somebody who opposes the whole idea because it would convert a privilege into a right. I hope that when Senator DeMint, and others who make similar statements about "rights" that they want to prevent their citizens from getting, next face the voters, they will be remembered in harsh terms.

A congressman from a rich district might be able to get away with suggesting that healthcare is merely a privilege for the more fortunate segments of society (although I would still advise against saying it). A statewide official or candidate ought to be made to pay a steep price for such arrogance.

Of which I have met a few through the navy, and love to tease them about the inability of their fighters to fly at night, I often ask them why the typically center right government of France has such a robust, comprehensive, and universal health care system?
Their answer is almost always along the lines of it being a matter of national pride that every French man and women be healthy and beautiful.
Clearly Senator DeMint and the Republicans in congress, the senate, and the states' governors' mansions don't see it as a matter of national pride that every American be healthy and beautiful.
Just about every industrialized nation (except America of course) has some from of universal health care coverage for all of their citizens, and has - or has had - a center right government with their universal health care coverage.
Universal Health Care isn't an economic issue, it is a principle of keeping every American healthy and beautiful.
Why is it that the Republican Party is against every American being healthy and Beautiful?
Because the Republican Party profits off of their being divides between the various sub-cultures of America.
The Republican Party wants there to be anger between black and white Americans, between nativists and the children of immigrants, between Christians and non-Christians, between the old and the young, between gay and straight, between the haves and the have nots, between women and men, and etc.
In other words the Republican Party deliberately wants to draw up sides and throw America into chaos so that the majority can rule over the various minorities (the 50 plus one strategy, which say screw the other 49%).
But they fail to realize that the majority (white, Christian, and male) is soon to be in the minority.

dont they

Health care is a public investment-- just like education, national defense, and infrastructure spending.

Being healthy, as a result of a decent health care system and decent insurance, is something that makes people more productive workers for many reasons. This benefits the entire nation.

With so many infectious diseases that can easily lead to health problems for everyone, we need to make sure that people go see a doctor sooner (when they have symptoms) rather than later because they cannot afford it (and after they have infected dozens or maybe hundreds of others).

ignorant republican opening his mouth on something he really knows very little about.

Being an actual legislator-for example-who passes legislation that promotes the "common good" and provides for the "general welfare."

As a political conservative-his knowledge would be a little low in this department.

Since their basic legislative philosophy seems to be-for all intents and purposes-"I got mine-screw you!"

The republican pary hasn't changed in years.

Believe me, our expectations are way too high for this people!

After all, we are the reality-based community!

Let's lower our expectations of them, and count on us and us alone. Since it does appear, we actually will be goin' this route by ourselves.

When U.S. citizens get healthcare reform and the Public Option-it will be because of us-and our team.

Maybe it was actually meant to be this way!

I have lived in developing countries and if you have an accident and are unfortunate enough to be seriously injured, you have to pre pay for medical services or not receive treatment at all. Many of the beggars on the streets in these countries are people who were able to survive their injuries but were too poor to get medical services and became permanently deformed. These wing-nuts want America, a country founded upon the ideal of creating a more perfect union for all the people to deny basic medical services to those who cannot pay for it. DeMint is a corporatist that is protecting Wall Street interests over the interests of the vast majority of Americans in direct conflict with his oath of office and should be brought up on charges. He sould be removed from office for this blatant misrepresentation of the basic tenents of the Constitution. Corporate profits should never be allowed to be put above the basic needs of the vast majority of all Americans and any government office holder that does advocate so should be removed for violating their oath of office.