Rights & Privilege Which is it

L

Lon

Well-known Member
Location
Central California
I mentally toss this one around in my head from time to time. particularly when I hear some one say that such and such is their right. There are many things that some consider a right that I think of as being a privilege. Home ownership for example is one. I think of it as aprivilege but some view it as a Right. Many things that we think of as Rights have the force of law backing them up, but there are other things that people think of as a right that has nothing backing it up other than their opinion.
Education is a right and has the backing of laws, but it does not include a Phd or any university degree.

We work at a job or career to attain certain priviliges that others may consider a right. Is a job or career itself a right that we have?

We all must eat to live and to be healthy, but is it a right that we be fed? or housed? In some cases it is Charity rather than any right or privilege.

I'm sure there are differing opinions by the readers of this post and I would be most interested in reading them.
 

In America, we are guaranteed certain rights. Freedom to express our political views without government interference... Freedom to worship where and how we believe, not forced to worship as a member of a government mandeted religion... the right to a jury trial... innocent until proven guilty... rights that could end up being a long list. Recent history has seen this "list of rights" extended to what could be called entitlements. The line between rights and entitlements has become definable by he/she who is asked to voice that definition.

Entitlements have become, to some, having what others have... even if you don't earn it. Food and shelter?? Certainly, our neighbors should not go hungry or live on the street. That, to me, does not mean everyone is entitled to prime rib and shushi. Shelter does not mean every family is entitled to minimum $1 million homes. Yet, there is a segment of society that attempt to suggest their rights, under the Constitution, should include cars, 60" flat screens, large homes, etc. just because others in society have them.

I'm not a good one to comment on this. In our almost 50 years of married life, I've spent most of that time in and around the construction/engineering industry. We have never applied for or rec'd any unemployment or government assistance dollars. If one job ran out, I went out and found another. Every thing we own was paid for with dollars we earned working and earning wages. We've been blessed to find work when needed.

I am a supporter of social service programs that assist those who have fallen on hard times. I will criticize those who take advantage of such programs to feed wants and desires with tobacco products, alcohol, luxury autos, friviolus entertainment, etc. We have NO "right" to such things. To proclaim a right to such is a slap in the face to those who are in need and require assistance to preserve what are their rights.
 
People have a right to eat and a right to healthcare, as well as a right to clean air and water..and all the rights outlined in the Constitution. Most other things are privilages.
 

"Home ownership for example is one. I think of it as a privilege but some view it as a Right. Many things that we think of as Rights have the force of law backing them up, but there are other things that people think of as a right that has nothing backing it up other than their opinion."

Home ownership is not a "right;" neither is the ownership of anything else. However, equal treatment under the law is a right. If a person has enough money to buy a home in a particular community or neighborhood, and is denied the right to do that because of the color of his skin, his religion, or his sexual orientation, that is a violation of his rights.

So, ownership of things is not a right. Being given equal opportunity to buy those things definitely is.
 
People speak of "rights" and "privileges", but there is a 3rd leg to that stool...it is called "Duty". People have a "Duty" to live honest lives, and make every attempt to do their small part to make the world a better place. If Duty received as much attention as rights and privileges, we would All be far better off.
 
Got to agree with most. Adequate housing is a right,owning said housing is not. Basic nutrition is a right, steak and lobster is not a right. Healthcare is a right,cosmetic dentistry is not a right. Education is a right, in my younger years High school was fine today I would say up to a Masters is a right!
As with everything there is no black and white, something that is basic right, on another level is a priveledge.
 
Robusta said:
Got to agree with most. Adequate housing is a right,owning said housing is not. Basic nutrition is a right, steak and lobster is not a right. Healthcare is a right,cosmetic dentistry is not a right. Education is a right, in my younger years High school was fine today I would say up to a Masters is a right!
As with everything there is no black and white, something that is basic right, on another level is a priveledge.
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At one time, health care was not a right, but now because of law it has become a right. Tell me though, where is it written that education up to a Masters Degree is a right? For that matter, where is it written that basic housing is a right?
 
Don M. said:
People speak of "rights" and "privileges", but there is a 3rd leg to that stool...it is called "Duty". People have a "Duty" to live honest lives, and make every attempt to do their small part to make the world a better place. If Duty received as much attention as rights and privileges, we would All be far better off.
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Where is it written that people have these duties Don? What penalties are there if they don't comply.
 
Josiah said:
An interesting thread, Lon. I'm going to think about these somewhat subtle distinctions. There's no doubt that people are careless about which word they use.
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My interest Josh is not so much the word that they use, but what they actually feel is theirs and others rights.

I never felt that my housing or advanced education was a right, and yet because of the Korean GI Bill & the Cal Vet Home Loan Program I was able to get a college education and to buy my first home with a 3% loan rate because what was once a privilige became a right by law.

What are the rights of the many homeless people that we see on the streets that seek charitable contributions from society? It's certainly right and proper that they be taken care of, but where is it written that it is their right?
 
If one so desired one could go beyond whatever artificial man-made "rights" have been foisted upon society and ask the question from a metaphysical viewpoint:

What rights do you have exclusive of your government, your laws and your society? What are your "universal" rights?

Looked at in that way, the only right that I see us naturally having is the right to die. Everything else that comes about through those aforementioned "mouthpieces" is artificial, and having once been bestowed can also be removed.
 
Lon said:
My interest Josh is not so much the word that they use, but what they actually feel is theirs and others rights.

I never felt that my housing or advanced education was a right, and yet because of the Korean GI Bill & the Cal Vet Home Loan Program I was able to get a college education and to buy my first home with a 3% loan rate because what was once a privilige became a right by law.

What are the rights of the many homeless people that we see on the streets that seek charitable contributions from society? It's certainly right and proper that they be taken care of, but where is it written that it is their right?
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I would shy away from using the word "right" when speaking of VA benefits or many other government safety net programs. I'm of course in favor of these programs but see them as what the government does to promote the country's well being. Rights are something the government should protect at all cost.
 
Here's a Classic example in todays' news of a woman who has her ''rights'' and privileges completely arse about face... :mad:


''
A pregnant mother-of-11 who receives £39,000 a year in benefits is planning a £10,000 trip to Las Vegas to renew her wedding vows - and it's all being funded by the taxpayer.
Cheryl Prudham, 33, is blowing the cash on a 'no-expense spared' jaunt to the U.S so she can 'remarry' her 30-year-old husband Robert - whom she took back just weeks ago.



The couple have also reportedly set aside a lump sum so they can splurge some money in the area's famous casinos.Last year, the family attracted attention for taking a £7,000 holiday in Menorca with Mrs Prudham telling Closer magazine: ‘I don’t feel bad about using taxpayers’ money. We’re entitled to a holiday.’ (my bold)

Speaking about their latest plans, a source said: 'It's the sort of holiday most people with jobs could never afford. But as far as Cheryl is concerned, she's earned it.

​
 
SifuPhil said:
If one so desired one could go beyond whatever artificial man-made "rights" have been foisted upon society and ask the question from a metaphysical viewpoint:

What rights do you have exclusive of your government, your laws and your society? What are your "universal" rights?

Looked at in that way, the only right that I see us naturally having is the right to die. Everything else that comes about through those aforementioned "mouthpieces" is artificial, and having once been bestowed can also be removed.
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Who or what bestows what you call Universal Rights Phil? Also, where is it written that we have a right to die? Where can I find a list of my universal rights? I want some!!
 
Lon said:
Where is it written that people have these duties Don? What penalties are there if they don't comply.
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"Duty" is NOT written, nor is it assumed by millions of our people. IMO, everyone who is Not physically or mentally disabled has the Obligation to make every attempt to support themselves, and contribute something Positive to society. Instead, we are saddled with large numbers of people who think The World Owes Them a Living.

Here is a prime example of the type of person I have No Sympathy for...it's just a shame that such people are allowed to Procreate freely, and increase the burdens on society.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/RBqjZ0KZCa0?showinfo=0&rel=0&hd=0
 
I agree that such people should not be supported. HOWEVER, I also realize that for every one of these parasites, there are also many folks who, through loss of a job, medical bills, disability, etc., need some help, and I do not begrudge them that help.

For instance, my niece, who was stricken with cancer at 39 and thus could not work, would not have been able to keep food on the table for her children without help from food stamps and social security disability (which the hospital helped her to get on an emergency basis. Her oldest son has taken in his two younger siblings since their mother's death, but could not afford to do so without help from food stamps and social security survivors benefits. The fact that society gives him assistance is good, because the family can stay together and it costs the state a lot less to have the children in their brother's home than to put them in foster care.

Some kind of system needs to be in place to help folks like them, BUT, I think applicants should be carefully screened, and recipients followed up on to be sure they are not milking the system.

In the case of adults receiving benefits, I think the law should require that they be verifiably be looking for employment or in a school teaching them job skills, and deadbeats should be dropped.
 
A civil society Must supply the necessary basics to allow a person to live a decent life when, through no fault of their own, they fall on hard times. However, in the case of the types of people that this UTube video shows, and there are several of them, society should demand some sort of individual responsibility from those people. There is always an ongoing debate about Abortion, but I think society should supply a free abortion to those who display the sexual habits of a rabbit. I would demand DNA testing for the fathers of these unsupported children, and if the Male is determined to be "spreading his seed, freely", he should be given a Vasectomy. Everyone is entitled to a mistake, but when people display no responsibility for their "virility", on an ongoing basis, I don't see where society owes them any Slack.

Our tax dollars should be going to things that better our nation, instead of allowing the Parasites to suckle off the taxpayers Teat.
 
I am a woman and as such I have had thoughts about my rights from time to time.
I have all the usual human rights, the right to a name, the right to the basic necessities that sustain life, whether on not I can pay for them.

These are the same rights I recognise for all people.

Over and above these I demand the right to be myself, to have an opinion and an education, and autonomy as an individual to make my own choices.
I have the right to raise my own children and no-one has the right to arbitrarily take them away from me.
For these rights I am prepared to stand up and to fight for if necessary. The last one I was prepared to die for.

Privileges are transitory things. They come and they go. Sometimes a life of privilege is in reality a curse.
A tycoon one day can be bankrupt the next. His world seems to come crashing down but he still has rights.
A wise man doesn't chase privilege but he defends rights.
 
Don M. said:
A civil society Must supply the necessary basics to allow a person to live a decent life when, through no fault of their own, they fall on hard times. However, in the case of the types of people that this UTube video shows, and there are several of them, society should demand some sort of individual responsibility from those people. There is always an ongoing debate about Abortion, but I think society should supply a free abortion to those who display the sexual habits of a rabbit. I would demand DNA testing for the fathers of these unsupported children, and if the Male is determined to be "spreading his seed, freely", he should be given a Vasectomy. Everyone is entitled to a mistake, but when people display no responsibility for their "virility", on an ongoing basis, I don't see where society owes them any Slack.

Our tax dollars should be going to things that better our nation, instead of allowing the Parasites to suckle off the taxpayers Teat.
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Do you not think those children are innocent in the situation though? How are you going to find the fathers responsible? Do you think the women should always be the ones to shoulder the responsibilities?
 

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