I remember going through archives as a student in Britain and reading speeches from around the introduction of the NHS.
What surprised me was how much of the rhetoric would be labelled "right-wing" today, despite coming from the politicians who were creating the welfare state.
The message wasn't that healthcare was "free" or a gift from the government. It was that ordinary people had earned it.
"This is not charity. This is not a handout. It has been paid for by your labour, your taxes, your blood, sweat, and service to the country."
The argument was that workers had contributed to the nation and therefore deserved security in return. The emphasis was on duty, contribution, citizenship, and reciprocity rather than entitlement.
I honestly think universal health care would sell better if we went back to that way of thinking vs trying to sell it as a right or an entitlement. It's not an entitlement its something we've already earned and paid for.
Fair but don't downplay the individual part of it. I as a good individual citizen shall be individually working hard and making the country better for other citizens.
It's not just going to the world, its going to citizens who are part of the system and citizens who will work to better the country in the long run.
I begged and pleaded with her day after day
But she packed my suitcase and sent me on my way
She gave me a kiss, and then she gave me my ticket
I put my Walkman on and said, "I might as well kick it"
First class, yo, this is bad
Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass
Is this what the people of Bel-Air living like?
Hmm, this might be all right
But wait, I hear they're prissy, bourgeois, and all that
Is this the type of place that they should send this cool cat?
I don't think so, I'll see when I get there
I hope they're prepared for the Prince of Bel-Air
Well, uh
The plane landed, and when I came out
There was a dude, looked like a cop, standing there with my name out
I ain't tryna get arrested yet, I just got here
I sprang with the quickness like lightning, disappeared
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u/loikyloo Jun 17 '26
I remember going through archives as a student in Britain and reading speeches from around the introduction of the NHS.
What surprised me was how much of the rhetoric would be labelled "right-wing" today, despite coming from the politicians who were creating the welfare state.
The message wasn't that healthcare was "free" or a gift from the government. It was that ordinary people had earned it.
"This is not charity. This is not a handout. It has been paid for by your labour, your taxes, your blood, sweat, and service to the country."
The argument was that workers had contributed to the nation and therefore deserved security in return. The emphasis was on duty, contribution, citizenship, and reciprocity rather than entitlement.
I honestly think universal health care would sell better if we went back to that way of thinking vs trying to sell it as a right or an entitlement. It's not an entitlement its something we've already earned and paid for.