The right to healthcare? A quick pro-con summary

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For Americans worn out trying to weigh the motivations and machinations of the most vocal proponents and opponents of healthcare reform, the nonpartisan organization ProCon.org is here to help. Its mission is to promote critical thinking about controversial issues in a straightforward, no-nonsense way. It presents the arguments for and against; what you make of those arguments is up to you. And now it’s offering a new site that focuses on healthcare. The question: Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to healthcare?

The first ‘pro’ argument: ‘All Americans should have a right to health care because the Declaration of Independence states that all men have the unalienable right to ‘Life,’ which entails having the health care needed to preserve life.’

The first ‘con’ argument: ‘Health care should not be a right because it is inconsistent with the Declaration of Independence, which guarantees the right to ‘pursue’ happiness, not the right to happiness or free medical services.’

The site offers more than 10 arguments per side (with sources, not heresay), plus a chance to weigh in.

It’s hard to argue with the need for critical thinking in this case.

-- Tami Dennis