There is a viewpoint, and it is strongest in Europe, that human rights extend to the basics of civilized human existence; that food, shelter and medical care are basic necessities that a society must provide for it's citizens if it is to be considered civilized. The purest expression of this can be found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ (see section 25) but it is also enshrined in national constitutions the world over.

At the root of this viewpoint is the understanding that the citizens of a nation depend upon each other and have a duty to each other.

This is clearly at odds with the modern American viewpoint which declares each individual to be utterly responsible for his own welfare. As Americans we are not in this together, we are each struggling separately.

And it is readily apparent that we are willing to sacrifice any principle on the altar of our individualism. This country (my country) openly condones torture, the bombing of civilian populations, extrajudicial imprisonment and the murder of political dissidents; all in the name of Individual Liberty.

It is less surprising that we cannot do what most of Europe regards as the sane and sanitary solution to ensuring the health of the nation; and more surprising that we aren't busy legalizing the hunting of the homeless and the use of the indigent as pet food.