2007-08-12 06:19:02 · 12 answers · asked by Ethan M 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Article I Section 8.
Congress has the authority to tax and spend for the general welfare of the population.
Personally, I oppose it. But it is not unconstitutional.
2007-08-12 06:24:28 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 4⤊ 7⤋
It is not the responsibility of the government according to the constitution. We must keep in mind that racist slave owning men wrote the document. Do you think they would have even cared about inner city blacks lacking health care? I doubt it. We have come so far as a country from the days of our founding fathers, that any compassionate person would understand that in a country as rich and opulent as ours, it is the responsibility of the federal government to provide health care to all its people. The US needs to leave its hardcore conservative history as just a memory. We must enter the world of compassionate, developed countries, like Denmark and Japan, who care more about the health of their citizens than in "national security." While I'm at it, education up to a bachelor's degree should be provided to all by the government. This of course would involve tax raises, something ignorant conservative Americans oppose no matter what.
2007-08-12 13:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by bryan 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Some here would have you believe that the government should provide limousine service to the unemployment office, and claim that it's providing for the "general welfare".
Our Founding Fathers were strong individualists, not sissies begging for handouts. They would not dream of putting the government into the health care business.
2007-08-12 21:37:59 · answer #3 · answered by big j 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Health care is an idividual's responsibility. If you choose to believe the first, gross misinterpretation of the Constitution then I ask "What can the federal government NOT do?" Intentionally misinterpreting the Constitution is a method liberals use to find "rights" for people too lazy to work and EARN what they need or want.
2007-08-12 13:59:04 · answer #4 · answered by TJ W 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well I knew it wouldn't take long for some know it all but yet know nothing like Coragryph to whip out the general welfare clause.... the fact is that the general welfare clause applies only to those powers SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATED in the Constitution... the answer to your question is a simple one...health care IS NOT the responsibility of the federal government (aka a "right" of US citizens). The rights of citizens obligate no other citizens... anything that does is an entitlement.
2007-08-12 13:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by RP McMurphy 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I think it could be argued that facilitating access to health care is part of promoting the general welfare.
2007-08-12 13:37:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Article 1 section 8 is being taken out of context. I am not an attorney like my learned friend, but that can be construed in many different ways. I could take it to have the meaning of having a large military and security to protect the homeland. Universal health care could be argued not to be the answer for all of us. I am absolutely against big governement, and socialism.
2007-08-12 13:38:30 · answer #7 · answered by Moody Red 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It is not in the Constitution. Health care is not the responsibility of the government.
2007-08-12 13:37:22 · answer #8 · answered by regerugged 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋
If you operate a nation in a 3rd world manner, you will get a 3rd world country pretty quickly. If the neocons and libertarians were allowed to run amok, there would be no schools, roads, bridges, ports, airports, rail lines, . . ., etc. Put away Atlas Shrugged and join reality with all of its shades of grey. A certain level of policymaking related to the public good is necessary to maintain a cohesive society.
2007-08-12 13:34:38 · answer #9 · answered by mechnginear 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I don't think when the framers spoke of general welfare they had socialized medicine in mind. It's not a responsiblity of the government. Their primary and only responsibility is the defense of our soverignty. Nothing more.
2007-08-12 13:39:04 · answer #10 · answered by @#$%^ 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I read the document...it seems that the individual citizen has to pay for healthcare if they want it. They have to buy their own land, cars, houses, food, entertainment. Yep, the constitution is a "do it yourselfer's delight".
2007-08-12 13:33:26 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋