It is also very important to realize rights are neither mutually exclusive or require sacrifice on any individuals part; that is to say, neither those exercising or waiving their rights are required to pay or give any item of value for those rights to be maintained.*

For example, with the right to free speech (in fairness, this is through constraining government) any individual has the inherit ability to think and inform others about their thoughts – regardless of how popular those thoughts may be to the state or other individuals.

The same may be said for the right to bear arms.  Every human has the right to defend him or herself with whatever armaments the situation may require.  This, like all rights, may only be removed by force from the State or other authoritarian figure.

Entitlements, on the other hand, are typically what (usually “progressive”) individuals believe should be rights but fail to meet the most basic of requirements.  Unlike rights, which are given the Higher Power, entitlements are conferred upon humanity from the State – typically with some other individual paying the – sometimes literal – cost.

For example, Finland recently declared broadband internet access is a fundamental human right.  While I would agree right to free information is a right** the that broadband internet access is a right is foolish.  The hardware and software infrastructures which power the networks involved cannot be maintained at zero cost, which is where the problem lies.

The irony of this so-called right is it requires individuals to lose free access to their income.  The vendors involved require payment which will paid for through the taxation of the working class – thus diminishing a true right to the fruits of an individual’s labor.

The same could be said for any other entitlement, including Medical coverage; doctors, nurses, pharmaceutical companies and so on all require payment which must be paid through the taxation of the populace.

It is because taxation – or any other form of payment – destroys true, inherit, rights we must never let entitlements corrupt our system of laws.  Entitlements are an attractive menace; truly they are wolf in sheep’s clothing.

* There is an obvious exception in regards to tyranny and slavery.  However, in this country we have been blessed by the bravery and selflessness of those have come before us who have freed us from such crimes.

**Free information is a ‘”reverse right,” so to speak.  In order for free speech to be maintained, individuals must be able to acquire speeches, texts, or other documents produced by other individuals.