U.S.A. - U.S.A. - U.S.A.
In the United States of America, there is a common belief that individual citizens have a legal right to own a gun. Advocates of this perspective cite the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution as the authority. Others who disagree with that perspective assert that the constitutional amendment applies only to the "militia", i.e. the National Guard, of each state within the United States.
On another public policy issue, many gun proponents are opposed to health care being a right of the United States citizenry. These folks think of health care as a privilege and assert that individuals who desire health care should be required to purchase health care in the private, profit-driven marketplace. Meanwhile, those persons in favor of universal health coverage are decried as socialists by their opponents.
Conservative - The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Individuals have the right to defend themselves. There are too many gun control laws – additional laws will not lower gun crime rates. What is needed is enforcement of current laws. Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns. More guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens mean less crime.
Liberal - The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to keep and bear arms, but only allows for the state to keep a militia (National Guard). Individuals do not need guns for protection; it is the role of local and federal government to protect the people through law enforcement agencies and the military. Additional gun control laws are necessary to stop gun violence and limit the ability of criminals to obtain guns. More guns mean more violence.
Healthcare:
Conservative - Support competitive, free market health care system. All Americans have access to health care. The debate is about who should pay for it. Free and low-cost government-run programs (socialized medicine) result in higher costs and everyone receiving the same poor-quality health care. Health care should remain privatized. The problem of uninsured individuals should be addressed and solved within the free market healthcare system – the government should not control healthcare.
Liberal - Support free or low-cost government controlled health care. There are millions of Americans who can’t afford health care and are deprived of this basic right. Every American has a right to affordable health care. The government should provide equal health care benefits for all, regardless of their ability to pay.
Right Wing - While some on the right are moving from strongly and wholly supporting the Second Amendment to accepting a ban on assault weapons, many still stand firmly in support of the right to bear arms. Their argument is that guns don't kill people; people kill people, and every citizen should retain the right to defend himself. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. constitution, and any attempt to regulate gun sales infringes on this right.
Left Wing - The left is in favor of restricting gun ownership altogether, or at least banning automatic or assault weapons.
Healthcare Policy:
Right Wing - Oppose government-provided universal healthcare and the Affordable Care Act. Favor competition to Medicare from private insurance companies; oppose Medicaid expansion.
Left Wing - Believe that access to healthcare is one of the fundamental rights of all citizens. Support universal healthcare, the Affordable Care Act, expansion of Medicare and Medicaid.
Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs
Gun Control:Conservative - The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Individuals have the right to defend themselves. There are too many gun control laws – additional laws will not lower gun crime rates. What is needed is enforcement of current laws. Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns. More guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens mean less crime.
Liberal - The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to keep and bear arms, but only allows for the state to keep a militia (National Guard). Individuals do not need guns for protection; it is the role of local and federal government to protect the people through law enforcement agencies and the military. Additional gun control laws are necessary to stop gun violence and limit the ability of criminals to obtain guns. More guns mean more violence.
Healthcare:
Conservative - Support competitive, free market health care system. All Americans have access to health care. The debate is about who should pay for it. Free and low-cost government-run programs (socialized medicine) result in higher costs and everyone receiving the same poor-quality health care. Health care should remain privatized. The problem of uninsured individuals should be addressed and solved within the free market healthcare system – the government should not control healthcare.
Liberal - Support free or low-cost government controlled health care. There are millions of Americans who can’t afford health care and are deprived of this basic right. Every American has a right to affordable health care. The government should provide equal health care benefits for all, regardless of their ability to pay.
ref: Student News Daily, Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs
Right Wing (Conservative) vs. Left Wing (Liberal)
Gun Rights:Right Wing - While some on the right are moving from strongly and wholly supporting the Second Amendment to accepting a ban on assault weapons, many still stand firmly in support of the right to bear arms. Their argument is that guns don't kill people; people kill people, and every citizen should retain the right to defend himself. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. constitution, and any attempt to regulate gun sales infringes on this right.
Left Wing - The left is in favor of restricting gun ownership altogether, or at least banning automatic or assault weapons.
Healthcare Policy:
Right Wing - Oppose government-provided universal healthcare and the Affordable Care Act. Favor competition to Medicare from private insurance companies; oppose Medicaid expansion.
Left Wing - Believe that access to healthcare is one of the fundamental rights of all citizens. Support universal healthcare, the Affordable Care Act, expansion of Medicare and Medicaid.
ref: Diffen, Left Wing vs. Right Wing
I suggest you read the article to which I have placed an embedded link:
For the past half-century or so, there has been a popular phrase in the United States of America:
It is not uncommon for me to use satire and/or sarcasm in my verbal and written communications. That being acknowledged, perhaps, you may now understand why this Roland Hansen Commentary is entitled:
Guns Are A Right. Health Care Is A Privilege. It's The American Way!
No comments:
Post a Comment