Ladies and Gentlemen, the answer to this question invariably helps define whether you are a Democrat or a Republican. Essentially, the answer to such questions 
goes to the heart of political division in this country, which is itself determined by these two questions:
1. What is the role of the government?
2. How far should it go in exercising that role?
The question was asked with regard to the $700 Billion bailout as power, influence, and control transferred over to Secretary Paulson. And with the health care question, the two candidates helped define the line between ideologies.
A privilege assumes something is or can be earned. I’m glad neither man chose this answer. It would have been the height of arrogance and elitism had they done so.
A right: This answer links health care to the Constitution. Hmmm… last time I checked, it wasn’t there. Of course, our founders did have an appreciation for “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. But that’s found in the Declaration of Independence and cannot reasonably or logically be linked to health care. No, sadly, health care is not a right–at least, not in a democracy. Perhaps in a socialist state, that’s the right answer. But not here.
A responsibility: Even so, at best one can argue that it is a “moral” responsibility, but not necessarily the responsibility of the government. But this answer is perhaps the best choice of the three.
A central government is responsible for providing certain protections, treaty management, and defense of the federated states. If we begin to look at health care as a right, then the government owes this benefit to every citizen. So what next? Housing? Education? Employment?
Go down this path far enough and you will find something eerily familiar with the USSR of the 1960s and 1970s.
