Taking Responsibility: Matt Drew for City Council

As I listened and talked last night at the Town Hall meeting with Congressman Price, I became increasingly uncomfortable with the rhetoric that was coming from the stage and the crowd.  I was strongly reminded of why I became a Libertarian.

The reality of the situation is that there is nothing stopping us today from having universal health care.  There are many free privately supported clinics that offer no-charge services, such as the one run by the doctor on the panel.  There is nothing stopping people from donating money and time to these clinics; indeed, it is encouraged by our tax laws.

But the people arguing for this health care reform plan are not satisfied with voluntary support.  They want everyone to support their program, even the people who disagree with them.  And they are perfectly willing to use the law to force people to do so.

If a private citizen tried to do this, it would be considered theft.  Does it suddenly become acceptable when the majority votes for it?  If a crowd accosts you in the street and votes that you should pay for a meal for the whole group, is that not theft?  Many people last night would say yes, that makes it all right to take by force in order to help people.  They see it as enforcing a moral duty – everyone should give to charity, so we’ll make everyone give to charity.

Yes, we have a responsibility to help those in need.  But this does not justify committing further injustice in our quest to make things better.  No matter how you dress it up, many wrongs do not make a right.

EDIT:  My wife pointed out that “free clinic” might be potentially misleading if the group receives public funds, so I edited that portion to make it clear that the panelists indicated that the clinic was supported by private charity.