Why stop at health services?

This is in response to the letter, “Vote for health” (Sept. 20), from three Providence Health executives.

They are “speaking” about government programs because they believe “health is a human right.” Why stop there? We all need to eat, so shouldn’t food be a human right? We all need protection from the elements, so shouldn’t housing be a human right? We all need to get from point “A” to point “B” from time to time, so shouldn’t transportation be a human right?

We all want our children to be educated, so shouldn’t all college and vocational programs be a human right? How about the right to public safety, including protection from murder, assault, theft, vandalism and fraud? If the government has a hard time providing the latter, how could we expect it to provide other “rights”?

The only way a society can prosper is if private property rights and patents are protected, and, long-term, if there is public safety and personal freedoms. The only way equality of outcome can be assured is if we all become equally poor. History has proven this over and over.

Craig Detmer

Spokane