Paid sick leave is not a right

THE MAJORITY of Albuquerque city councilors voted to place on the ballot a proposal for an ordinance that forces all Albuquerque businesses regardless of size to provide paid sick leave to every employee, whether full-time, part-time or temporary.

Twenty-six businesses filed a lawsuit to invalidate the proposal for the ordinance. The councilors supporting the proposal did so on the grounds that “might makes right.” If a group of voters passes the proposal, they will be voting that businesspeople’s rights should be violated and their property should be looted. The might of such a law makes the violation “right.”

The lawyer for the 26 businesses argues against the ordinance on the grounds of “log-rolling” — i.e., placing on the ballot a proposal that combines many issues. If the businesses’ lawyer does not argue their case in terms of rights violations, he will not be doing what is required .... These 26 businesses require a strong, fundamental opposition that will re-assert the individuals’ rights to life, property, liberty and the pursuit of happiness .... For instance... an individual has the right to seek employment. He does not have the right to a job. Similarly, he does not have a right to be paid (for) sick leave. If an employee wants it, but his employer does not provide it, the employee is free to quit . ... Capitalism has been under attack for over a century. ... So it’s not surprising that OLÉ New Mexico, SouthWest Organizing Project, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos collected enough signatures to put on the ballot an invitation to violate businesspeople’s rights. It shows how extensively Americans have been hoodwinked into accepting a philosophy that requires they be immoral . ...

SYLVIA BOKOR Albuquerque