OK - this is coming together for me. I think. Let's see what you think of this example and summary:
"The reason it's not the governments job to fix somebody after they've been stabbed is the same reason that the government doesn't replace your car for you when it's been stolen. The government is to try and prevent such crimes, and bring the people who committed the crimes to justice. But 'replacing the property' or 'fixing the damage' is the individuals responsibility... (Insurance etc.)"
...that sound about right...?
If so - yeah - I get it. If there is no real concept of positive rights (or if it is only seen as a 'special case' in relation to children) then yeah - I get that this is the natural outcome.
...not for me though. Definitely not. I like the concept of 'positive rights'. A lot...!
...and so that's a basic principle that separates me from many / most(?) 'US' Libertarians. I guess...
General morality talk...
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RenegadeOfPhunk wrote:OK - this is coming together for me. I think. Let's see what you think of this example and summary:
"The reason it's not the governments job to fix somebody after they've been stabbed is the same reason that the government doesn't replace your car for you when it's been stolen. The government is to try and prevent such crimes, and bring the people who committed the crimes to justice. But 'replacing the property' or 'fixing the damage' is the individuals responsibility... (Insurance etc.)"
...that sound about right...?
Yes, that sounds about right.
If so - yeah - I get it. If there is no real concept of positive rights (or if it is only seen as a 'special case' in relation to children) then yeah - I get that this is the natural outcome.
Of course our country has a lot of positive rights put into place and some are even constitutionally protected -- such as the right to a free and appropriate education. We have welfare, medical aid for the elderly and those in poverty, etc...
...not for me though. Definitely not. I like the concept of 'positive rights'. A lot...!
...and so that's a basic principle that separates me from many / most(?) 'US' Libertarians. I guess...
I do too, which is why I stopped being a Libertarian. :)