What are our "Human Rights"?

In a discussion today with a coworker about the issue of hiring illegal immigrants in the construction industry, he made the comment that having a job was their Human Right. This got me thinking. What are our basic human rights? We hear this term tossed around so much but do we really know what it truly mean? A human right, to me, would be something essential to our very survival as both an individual and as a society at large. But is my interpretation correct? What are we, as humans, naturally entitled to? In this day in age of technology and mass production, what has become our basic rights? I came up with five items, but it’s certainly not limited to just these:

1) Food. As a living breathing creature dependant on a stable source of nutritional food, this becomes a necessity for life and therefore a human right. We should have right to, and provisions for food. This, however, is not an entitlement to an endless buffet or four course meal of lobster and caviar. It is the basic right for food essential to a healthy lifestyle.

2) Clean water. Again, as a living breathing creature dependant on a source of clean water as a necessity for survival it must be included in our rights. What is not included is our ability to leave the tap running for extended periods of time. Water conservation must play an important role in supplying each their own.

3) Shelter. I see no reasonable excuse why we each cannot be afforded the comforts of a safe and secure place to call home. This does not mean we each get a 10,000 square foot mansion. If you want that, get off your lazy butt and work for it. But there is no reason why quality housing cannot be afforded to all.

4) Healthcare. The resources are there. The medicine is there. But what’s also there is the insurance companies, pharmaceutical giants, and government BS. The path must be cleared of these money hungry powerhouses so that each individual can receive the quality healthcare they deserve.

5) Education. If we intend to continue on as an intelligent species, then we must continue to expand our base of knowledge. This can only be achieved by the continued education of the masses. The basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, combined with the knowledge of science, current civil and social issues, accurate history and exposure to the arts for all, in the name of The Advancement of the Human Condition.

These five items only touch on the very least of what we should have the rights to. There are certain rights to freedoms, such as freedom of speech, freedom from oppression, etc, that could be included in this list but they pertain more to civil liberties than human rights as a necessity to life and survival.

For the sake of this discussion can we try to keep the “control factor” of the worlds governments to a minimum. We all know they will never allow this, but with that said, what are your thoughts, additions, or deletions to this list? Should we be extended any rights at all, and if so, who’s responsibility is it to provide them for us?

reply to post by amaster


My first thoughts go strait to this:

"We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

-Thomas Jefferson

LINK

I think these are the rights of every man, woman, and child without restraint!

Of The United States, or a foreign nation, these are the rights that should be guaranteed to everyone.

1) One bilion people are starving every day, in numbers 10000000 , i get sick when i see one man starving in my neghibourhood alone one bilion.
en.wikipedia.org...

Over 22,000 children die every day around the world
www.globalissues.org...

2)Half the world's population is living in unsanitary conditions without access to clean water, according to a UN-backed report.
The report, drawn up by the World Commission on Water for the 21st Century, says three billion of the world's most deprived people live in squalor and misery without access to proper sanitation.
One billion of them have no access to safe water at all. 5,000 children die needlessly every day from waterborne illnesses:

news.bbc.co.uk...

3) More Than 100 Million Homeless Worldwide
ipsnews.net...



And this numbers getting larger day by day
Monetary system, corporations , central bankers , politicians,MSM , false education etc etc alowed this to happen to humans on this planet

reply to post by amaster


Well apparently this list should be called the "human rights achieved through work" remember nobody cares about you as a person...The people who are "supposed" to provide this do not care about you or me or anyone for that matter but their cult they live in. If you aren't "one of the guys" you aren't allowed to receive what you deserve!!

I agree 100% with your post but I have to add one more to the housing issue.

The right to own it outright. That is, no property tax.

Currently, if we own a house or land outright with no mortgage, it can still be taken away if the taxes go unpaid. So that is not true ownership.

And if we decide to upgrade or add a room, we must ask permission and pay for permits so that is not ownership. And of course the taxes will rise on a new appraised value.

So yes, housing is a basic human right but to own it outright, with no threat of it being taken away by the Govt. is also a human right. Many people would still have their homes if they actually owned it in the first place. As it stands, not one of us actually own our homes, we rent it from the Govt.

We must have the right to OWN and NOT RENT from Govt.

I am not exactly an advocate of the UN and it's oft-questioned agenda, but here is the link tot he Human Right's Declaration that the UN puts forth as it's definitive consideration:

www.un.org...

This is just the preamble:

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Oops, I prematurely hit the submit button.

I wanted to add that in my opinion, nearly every single iteration of declarations of rights should (if they don't already) proclaim as unchangeable the understanding that ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL and deserving of EQUAL treatment and respect; that dignity is not negotiable, and no government can rationalize a way to eliminate the practice or perception of that equality.

reply to post by amaster


According to the USA these days, NONE.
Nothin else to say about that, just the simple truth.

Well we should be able to claim land as our home if it is not already claimed by someone else. By someone else I mean a person, not a corporation or government.

We should be allowed to explore our consciousness without hindrance but apparently not because of this bull drug war.

Civilians should be free from harm of NATO bombs but apparently not.

We should have a right to not pay taxes but this is far from the case.

Need I go on?..

The problem with giving people “rights” like the ones you listed above is that once something is recognized as a “right” it has to be provided by someone. If you have the “right” to healthcare it means you have the right to be treated, regardless of your ability to pay for it … meaning someone else has to flip the tab. If you have the “right” to good food then regardless of your ability to pay for it has to be provided to you.

Basically what’s wrong with your list of rights is that it turns you into a child who spends his life in some stage of dependency on another not just for the creature comfort, but for the very essentials of life. Essentially, you turn into ward of the state when they are the providers of your every need.

Ironically enough and just like petulant teenagers, those who become dependent upon the state for the very essentials of life are often the first to complain about its now overbearing and intrusive nature, not realizing the two go hand in hand. When you make your well being the responsibility of someone else rather than yourself you cannot expect them to not have a say in how you organize your affairs.

That’s why I like Jefferson’s rights: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. No guarantees of outcomes, just opportunities.

Originally posted by SirMike
The problem with giving people “rights” like the ones you listed above is that once something is recognized as a “right” it has to be provided by someone. If you have the “right” to healthcare it means you have the right to be treated, regardless of your ability to pay for it … meaning someone else has to flip the tab. If you have the “right” to good food then regardless of your ability to pay for it has to be provided to you.

Basically what’s wrong with your list of rights is that it turns you into a child who spends his life in some stage of dependency on another not just for the creature comfort, but for the very essentials of life. Essentially, you turn into ward of the state when they are the providers of your every need.

That’s why I like Jefferson’s rights: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. No guarantees of outcomes, just opportunities.

most humanity is raised to depend on one another...thats how todays society is ran.

Originally posted by jerryznv
reply to post by amaster

 

My first thoughts go strait to this:

"We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

-Thomas Jefferson

LINK

I think these are the rights of every man, woman, and child without restraint!

Of The United States, or a foreign nation, these are the right that should be guaranteed to everyone.

I agree, but what constitues life, liberty and the persuit of happiness (bare in mind, it's only the persuit and not the achivement of happiness)?

reply to post by amaster


Food is the first and foremost human right. The shame of our culture is that we must slave at jobs to pay for food.

We DESERVE free food. It is the only way to equalize the tragic effects of capitalism (and communism for that matter since ALL leaders, since the dawn of civilization, have withheld food for work).

By making us work for food, we have turned our own hunger into a debt that must be repaid by the sweat of our brows. Millions across the globe go hungry, not for lack of food, theres plenty of food, but because they lack fancy, green pieces of paper with which to buy food.

Food and water are too important to leave to the economy. We must separate food from the economy in order to have any sense of justice in this world.

I agree with your five, but I would add a prefix "basic" before them, luxurious items should not be a right.

Also, add number 6) Justice.

reply to post by Maxmars


The UN's statement still only seems to pertain to civil liberties; the freedom of speech, religion, oppression, equality. These are not vital to life. If you are denied food, you die. If you are denied water, you die. In some cases, being denied shelter, medicine and education can be life threatening.

Originally posted by doctornamtab
reply to post by amaster

 

Food is the first and foremost human right. The shame of our culture is that we must slave at jobs to pay for food.

We DESERVE free food. It is the only way to equalize the tragic effects of capitalism (and communism for that matter since ALL leaders, since the dawn of civilization, have withheld food for work).

By making us work for food, we have turned our own hunger into a debt that must be repaid by the sweat of our brows. Millions across the globe go hungry, not for lack of food, theres plenty of food, but because they lack fancy, green pieces of paper with which to buy food.

Food and water are too important to leave to the economy. We must separate food from the economy in order to have any sense of justice in this world.

I'm sorry, but you deserve free food? Thats rather childish and selfish. What about the farmer who has to bust his hump growing it? Doesnt he deserve compensation for growing it? What about the trucker who has to bust his hump delivering it it? Doesnt he deserve compensation for bringin it to you?

More technically speaking, I think that you may be getting "rights" mixed up with "needs".

For something to truly be a right, then it should not require any coersion of someone else to provide it. It would just be a matter of limiting rights to the point where they being to interfere with the rights of others. I think that's why Jefferson kept it to just "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

So, saying that someone has a right to food and shelter would mean that a person can demand that it just be given to them. That is not how things work in the real world.

Instead, it might be more correct to recognize such things as basic needs, for which a person has a right to engage in legitimate activities that result in the obtaining of those things -- like working at a job to earn money to PAY FOR food and a place to stay.

Outside of self defense, defense of property, or defense of others in need of defense, that which I do that causes no harm, I do by right.

Our ONE and ONLY necessary right is TRUE freedom.

We think we as American's are free because we are democratic capitalists.

TRUE freedom happens when everything is free.

Socialism? No! Humanity-ism.

Freedom is not allowed because we don't have faith in ourselves to be free. We think if humans were allowed true freedom, we would destroy everything ceaselessly.

If you think we're free here in America you are way wrong.

As long as there's someone in charge writing laws, you will never be free. The only law should be freedom.

And believe it or not, it is a strict law and is challenging even for someone who isn't high up in the governmental hierarchy to respect. Allowing freedom is an effort that goes deeper than simply not having laws.

We have two arms, and if you break someone's arm in a fight, well you have restricted their freedom of expression, and you broke the law. When you tell someone what to do, you have restricted that person's freedom of creative expression to conform to your selfish ideal. You just broke THE law. When you lock your dog in a cage, you break the law.

What about things that aren't covered here under the law of freedom like theft? Well maybe theft is a reaction to an oppressive society. In a world where everything is free, who would steal? In this way, theft is an illusion.

You might say, "If I let my child do whatever he/she wants, there would be anarchy and mayhem", but perhaps the child's choice to be destructive when allowed freedom is a rebellious reaction to oppressive parents?? Perhaps they are naturally, and illogically destructive. In this case, the law of freedom might need a slight suspension for disciplinary reasons until that child is old enough to make logical decisions with their freedom on his/her own.

In any case, you might think you're free here but you're not even close. When's the last time you went the speed limit in fear of being issued a ticket when you knew you could successfully and safely navigate that road at a much higher speed. If you counted all the time you would have saved at the end of your life had you not gone the speed LIMIT, you would have had much more opportunities to be productive and thus improve your quality of life. This is just one simple example of how restrictions and laws are keeping us from our potential and how we are not truly free whether you would accept that notion or not. There are many examples and you can ponder them yourself, and post them here if you think of one.

Freedom just might be the Rosetta Stone that could send our world into an age of peace and prosperity.

If we were allowed our God given right to true freedom, things would be better.

Originally posted by amaster

Originally posted by jerryznv
reply to post by amaster

 

My first thoughts go strait to this:

"We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

-Thomas Jefferson

LINK


I think these are the rights of every man, woman, and child without restraint!

Of The United States, or a foreign nation, these are the right that should be guaranteed to everyone.

I agree, but what constitues life, liberty and the persuit of happiness (bare in mind, it's only the persuit and not the achivement of happiness)?

I am not sure that I can answer what another's pursuit might be...what I mean is a pursuit of happiness is very individual in my opinion. For some just the pursuit is true happiness without ever achieving anything, some pursue goals and then at the end of their journey they will declare that the goal was nothing compared to the journey...and achievement takes on a new meaning.

Actually achieving happiness seems to be a state of mind for many, and not so much in the monetary form, or physical needs being met...it's a tough question...but I think it is very individual for sure. If our observance of other cultures is any indication, then our achievements differ considerably in comparison.

reply to post by smithjustinb

If we were allowed our God given right to true freedom, things would be better.

Either we are speaking language, or that language is speaking us. "Allowing" freedom is not freedom at all, but is something else altogether. Freedom cannot be granted, and must be taken.