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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site wivax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!harpo!decvax!wivax!ss
From: ss@wivax.UUCP (Sid Shapiro)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Rent control, etc.
Message-ID: <19513@wivax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-May-84 15:23:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: wivax.19513
Posted: Wed May 16 15:23:38 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 17-May-84 04:23:59 EDT
References: <140@oliven.UUCP>, <3268@fortune.UUCP> <129@loral.UUCP>
Organization: Wang Institute, Tyngsboro, Ma.  01879
Lines: 23

loral!simard, in (correctly) arguing why people don't have "rights" to
marterial wealth, says the following:

> Certainly we all have rights to many things, (life, liberty...).

He is correct in almost all that he says.  Howwever, let me suggest
that his above statement is just as naive as the statements the we
have "rights" to housing, or somesuch.

We have rights to life liberty...?  Who is "we"?  If he means citizens
of the United States, then he might get some arguments from blacks,
hispanics, women, or some other political "minority".

If he means we as human beings, then he is even farther off base.
Tell the drunk driver or the lightening bolt or the falling tree that
you have a right to life.  See if you suddenly become alive.  Tell the
dictator that you have a right to liberty.  See if you suddenly become
free.

We have very few inate rights (in fact I am having trouble thinking of
any).

--Sid--