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Freedom = Entitlement to means?

Do you agree with the statement in the OP?


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Goobieman

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Do you agree with this statement:

That you have a freedom in no way means you are entitled to the means necessary to exercise said freedom.

Why or why not?
 
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Political Freedom? Economic Freedom? Practical everyday freedom such as not being confined to a wheelchair? You need to be more specific here.
 
Political Freedom? Economic Freedom? Practical everyday freedom such as not being confined to a wheelchair? You need to be more specific here.
No, I do not, as the question revolves around the entitlement to means, not the specfic flavor of freedom.
 
It really depends on the circumstances. When it comes to having legal representation at a criminal trial, you are entitled to the means. Getting your own TV channel to exercise your freedom of speech, not so much.
 
Do you agree with this statement:

That you have a freedom in no way means you are entitled to the means necessary to exercise said freedom.

Why or why not?

If you mean means like the government giving away guns, bibles, printing presses, driving people to churches, driving people to protests, money to build churches, money to purchase printing presses, newspapers and so on or any other form of tax payer financial assistance then the answer is no. The only thing that makes a constitutional right a constitutional right is the fact you do not need permission from the government to exercise that right nor can the government restrict that right. The only exception would be the right for counsel since it does say in the 6th amendment "to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense"
 
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No, I do not, as the question revolves around the entitlement to means, not the specfic flavor of freedom.

The type of freedom has a heavy impact on the necessary means though.
 
This is a very strange question and you really do have to define what you mean by freedom. The question hinges on what "flavor" of freedom we are talking about. For instance, it is reasonable to consider political freedom meaningless without the means to exercise it, and it is not a contradiction to hold this belief and at the same time believe that one can be economically free without the means to participate in economic transactions. Clean up your question and it will probably lead to a better discussion.
 
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If we're talking about right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of property, then you are not entitled to the means to acquire those. You may die, you may have your property taken because of debt.

The trial case is interesting. Usually when we talk about rights, we talk about ideal situations. So I think I could make an exception for this case, but I would phrase it differently. Adequate representation is useful so that the state can apply correct justice (for our safety) rather than an entitlement for than accused.
 
Do you agree with this statement:

That you have a freedom in no way means you are entitled to the means necessary to exercise said freedom.

Why or why not?

Depends if the means to exercise the freedoms can be reasonably procured. If they cannot, they must be provided, at least to the point they become procurable, and if the freedoms cannot be provided to at least that degree, then they do not exist.
 
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Do you agree with this statement:

That you have a freedom in no way means you are entitled to the means necessary to exercise said freedom.

Why or why not?

This is the classic debate about rights that often divides thinkers and feelers, liberal welfare socialists and constitutionalists

A right is a protection. You can do something and not suffer government retribution as a result

A right is not a just claim on the wealth of others

a right does not require anyone else to act

indeed, a right means government agents shall not act

if a right to own a gun means someone has to provide you a gun that no longer is a right but an entitlement

thus, you have a right to health care-all that you can afford

I have no duty to pay for it
 
This is the classic debate about rights that often divides thinkers and feelers, liberal welfare socialists and constitutionalists

A right is a protection. You can do something and not suffer government retribution as a result

A right is not a just claim on the wealth of others

a right does not require anyone else to act

indeed, a right means government agents shall not act

if a right to own a gun means someone has to provide you a gun that no longer is a right but an entitlement

thus, you have a right to health care-all that you can afford

I have no duty to pay for it

Then voting should not be paid for collectively.
 
Then voting should not be paid for collectively.

that is a stupid analogy.

people get paid for jury duty too

in both cases that right is also seen as a duty for the common good
 
that is a stupid analogy.

people get paid for jury duty too

in both cases that right is also seen as a duty for the common good

Which is necessary to secure the rights of another person.
 
Do you think we have a right to govern ourselves?

sure but the issue is individual rights

you have a right to free speech-not a public supplied microphone

the right to travel but not airline tickets someone else must fund
 
Which is necessary to secure the rights of another person.

evasive

lets cut the crap and discuss this as the thread creator intended

many liberals believe people have the right to "affordable housing"

a well paying job

free health care

all of those things require others to act


they thus are not truly individual rights
 
sure but the issue is individual rights

you have a right to free speech-not a public supplied microphone

the right to travel but not airline tickets someone else must fund

I can agree with you there, but I do believe we should supply a social minimum.
 
This is a very strange question and you really do have to define what you mean by freedom. The question hinges on what "flavor" of freedom we are talking about. For instance, it is reasonable to consider political freedom meaningless without the means to exercise it, and it is not a contradiction to hold this belief and at the same time believe that one can be economically free without the means to participate in economic transactions. Clean up your question and it will probably lead to a better discussion.
Not so much -- see post #5.
 

Nope, it demonstrates that there are cases where even natural rights need overt action from government and the community.

lets cut the crap and discuss this as the thread creator intended

many liberals believe people have the right to "affordable housing"

a well paying job

free health care

all of those things require others to act

they thus are not truly individual rights

Personally, I think natural rights are a pretty good concept, but they need to be balanced with practical needs for a functional society.
 
I can agree with you there, but I do believe we should supply a social minimum.

I don't. It only increases dependency and the left has proven it wants to expand the needy so as to get more votes
 
Nope, it demonstrates that there are cases where even natural rights need overt action from government and the community.



Personally, I think natural rights are a pretty good concept, but they need to be balanced with practical needs for a functional society.

why don't you call them what they are
entitlements
handouts
pandering
welfare

why do you all want to make entitlements look less odious by calling them rights?
 
Depends if the means to exercise the freedoms can be reasonably procured. If they cannot, they must be provided,
Why? What creates this entitlement?
Whose responsibility it is to provide that means? How?
Is isaid entitelemtn wholesale and plenary, regarding all rights, or just some?
On what basis do you make that determination?
 
I don't. It only increases dependency and the left has proven it wants to expand the needy so as to get more votes

Please cite this "proof" from the left.
 
why don't you call them what they are
entitlements
handouts
pandering
welfare

why do you all want to make entitlements look less odious by calling them rights?

They are handouts and they are rights. The two are not mutually exclusive. :shrug:
 
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