Quote:
Originally posted by cthulu23
You make the mistake of assuming that all inequalitites are the result of chaos and uncontrollable circumstances. Sometimes it is quite possible to justly assign blame for social problems. The reforms of the past were not jsut dreamed up by some socialist cabal, but were enacted to address real grievances suffered by real people. Should we repeal the child labor or anti-sweatshop laws because they are trying to enforce "fairness?" Life may not be fair, but that is no excuse to ignore the injustices that we can do something about.
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No - laws which protect people from being the victims of fraud, coercion and violence are right and just. They are consistent with protecting the rights of the individual as outlined in the Bill of Rights (which describes "negative" rights - or the right to be left alone). The addressing of inequalities of situation, however, are largely done through the assertion of "positive" rights - which are really just needs. To claim a "positive" right, be in health care, food, shelter etc., is to insist that someone else supply the productivity to fulfill one's need. That is not protection of one's liberty - it is the exploitation of another.