A 2nd Bill of Rights, what do you think about this speech?

[Boddhissatva]

I was on another forum and I came across this speech from FDR.  I'm ashamed to say I never heard it before.

Before you comment on this speech and what he posited, please do not respond with derailing/deflecting comments such as:

1)  FDR knew Pearl Harbor was going to happen.

2)  FDR was a communist!!

3)  FDR locked up American citizens.


On January 11, 1944, in his last State of the Union speech, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt outlined the need for a second bill of rights. He understood that, in a democratic and civilized society, "freedom" is not limited to political rights. "Freedom" must mean economic rights as well. People are not "free" when they have to work 60 hours a week to put food on the table. People are not "free" when they cannot afford to go to the doctor when they are ill. People are not "free" when they are thrown out on the street because their company moved to China. People are not "free" when they are forced to live their senior years in poverty.


In his speech Roosevelt stipulated that every American has the fundamental right to:

1. A job.
2. An adequate wage and decent living.
3. A decent home.
4. Medical care.
5. Economic protection during sickness, accident, old age, or unemployment.
6. A good education.


Here's the actual speech:  I can't embed, if someone can that would be great.

https://youtube.com/v/b8oPbsgUN1E


What are you thoughts?  agree, disagree? 

all opinions welcome. 

[Oscar_LaVista]

it would be smarter, more win-win, short term and long term if we did do more to make sure all people had equal opportunities and equal chances, especially kids when it comes to first rate education no matter what income level their parents have.  you cannot force people to take a job, at least to take one and do it worth a damn, and if jobs and "nice" homes and the rest are guaranteed, it is going to be taken advantage of by a certain percentage of slackers.  but that has been true for all time.  people who are not hungry, who are not cold, who are not homeless, who are educated are less likely to want to do crime.  and when we incarcerate people, the total cost is more than if we did ensure a decent home, a decent wage, and the rest even if they were below standard workers. 

[Boddhissatva]

Well said Oscar. 

[omiaqt]

Do a little studying of the USSR, and see if that may be what you seek, ms/mr boddisssatva?

[Boddhissatva]

Omi,

So I assume you disagree with the speech and what FDR proposed?

why or why not?

thanks.

[Dan]

In his speech Roosevelt stipulated that every American has the fundamental right to:

1. A job.
2. An adequate wage and decent living.
3. A decent home.
4. Medical care.
5. Economic protection during sickness, accident, old age, or unemployment.
6. A good education.

Since "rights" do not require compulsory action from any third party, every item on that list requires action from someone else.  So they are NOT rights.  They are privileges and benefits.

[Dan]

you cannot force people to take a job

Nor can you force someone to "give" a job.

[omiaqt]

I think the harder you study & work, the less you need government, ms/mr boddisssatva!

[Dan]

A "right" is the freedom to do something your own damn self.  It does not involve forcing someone else to give you something.

[Boddhissatva]

Dan,

how do you feel about social security?

do you believe there should be a "safety net" for our elderly population?

(I appreciate your comments btw)

[dont-blameme]

Fundamental Right<!-- here if we decide to print the summary in the page display     -->                   



      


Overview
Fundamental rights are a group of rights that have been recognized by the [URL=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/supreme_court]Supreme Court as requiring a high degree of protection from government encroachment.  These rights are specifically identified in the Constitution (especially in the Bill of Rights), or have been found under Due Process.  Laws encroaching on a fundamental right generally must pass strict scrutiny to be upheld as constitutional.
Non-Exhaustive List of Fundamental Rights
Examples of fundamental rights not specifically listed in the Constitution include:

• marriage
  
• privacy
  
• contraception
  
• interstate travel.
  
• procreation
  
• custody of one's child(ren)
  
• voting

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[zsq987]

FDR outlines the list of new Rights beginning at about the 24 minute mark.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/F_ydSC9Q9yo" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/v/F_ydSC9Q9yo</a>