Unalienable Rights

Or so it is in part:


I posted the other day about a conversation I had with colleagues of mine that are from Europe.  During that conversation I was stunned to learn that they honestly felt that health care was such a right.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this new bit of news:

(CNN) — Finland has become the first country in the world to declare broadband Internet access a legal right.

Starting in July, telecommunication companies in the northern European nation will be required to provide all 5.2 million citizens with Internet connection that runs at speeds of at least 1 megabit per second.

“We think it’s something you cannot live without in modern society. Like banking services or water or electricity, you need Internet connection,” Vilkkonen said.

It is a view shared by the United Nations, which is making a big push to deem Internet access a human right.


America was founded on the concept of Liberty.  Liberty to pursue our own benefits, or not.  The Liberty to claim my life as my own.  In short, these rights would be as true today, tomorrow as when they were written 230 or so years ago.  These rights will protect our citizens and can be spoken to as it pertains to those citizens 10-20 or even 50 years from now.

So tell me, how are these “human rights” being considered by  the UN to be delivered if not by curtailing another’s rights to pursue their own liberty?

5 responses to “Unalienable Rights

  1. Interesting. I can see health care as being an inalienable right, but broadband access? I suppose access to information can be considered a right in this information age.

    But if you look at the economies of scale, it may not be a bad idea. Broadband is becoming just another utility.

  2. I can see health care as being an inalienable right,

    That might be where we differ. I think that rights that are considered inalienable speak to concepts, not real things. For example, God doesn’t provide the right health care. But our right to Liberty IS extended by the Creator.

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