Oh, Sheila: Rep. Jackson Lee finds constitutional right to health care in Declaration of Independence

Brett T. | 5:33 PM on May 07, 2013

If Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee believes the Mars rover is able to find the American flag planted on the moon, then it’s no great stretch to find a constitutional right to health care and education in the Declaration of Independence. The Washington Times reports that Jackson Lee, on the House floor last night, theorized that health care and education are necessary components to realizing the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee: Constitution implies a right to health care, education http://t.co/1y1u8pd3Xf

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 7, 2013

“I think that what should be continuously emphasized is the president’s leadership on one single point: that although health care was not listed per se in the Constitution, it should be a constitutional right,” Jackson Lee said.

https://twitter.com/GracieDoll28/status/331870946237501441

So the Supreme Court managed to find the right to abortion in there, but that whole right to bear arms might have been a typo? And if the founding fathers only meant the Second Amendment to apply to muskets, just what sort of health care did they intend to guarantee?

Prof. Sheila Jackson Lee, constitutional law expert: "turn in your guns" and "healthcare should be a constitutional right."

— C (@Cjones27) May 7, 2013