EQUITY AND JUSTICE

My photographs of the two beautiful children, brother and sister, that accompany my journal writing today are images most Americans like to believe are typical of American children; but they are not. Julian and Nina are well-loved, well-fed, well-clothed, well-schooled, well-housed children whose parents take them for regular medical check-ups and can take them immediately to Kaiser-Permanente clinic or hospital if they become ill and need professional attention because they have health insurance. The number of children in America who are uninsured rose from 7.9 million in 2004 to 8.3 million in 2005. I don’t know the figures for 2010, but with the economic recession still in full swing I guess it is higher now than it was in 2008.

As we approach the next voting cycle in this country, many of those who voted for the president’s health care bill are facing tough opposition from opponents who are committed to reversing the progress that has been made in the effort to provide adequate health care to all Americans. Of course, we know the arguments they use to justify their stand against a program that is good especially for the underserved citizens of our country. The most obvious reason we hear is that it will cost money (that they say we don’t have at a time when we are engaged in two wars). Opponents point out that there are deadbeat adults who should go out and get jobs and pay their own way and pay for the care of the children for whom they are responsible. Some fear the program is an example of “socialized” medicine and will accelerate a slide toward communism. Many people hate “big” government and trust private corporations like insurance companies to “give” us the coverage we need. Others are more honest and less hypocritical, and they say simply that they think they pay enough in taxes already.

The most distressing development in the campaign to undo the health care bill is the unabashed appeal to conservative Christians to campaign and vote against candidates who supported the President and Congress that put the program in place. Alan Grayson in Florida is one such representative who has been targeted. He says, “A just society is one that shelters the homeless, feeds the hungry, that heals the sick...” Mr. Grayson, a Democrat in a Florida district that has usually elected Republicans to Congress, voted with his party to pass the landmark health care bill. He knows he may not be reelected because the Republican central committee is organizing conservative church groups to campaign against him. What is it about the scriptures listed below do these church folks not understand?

Ps. 140:12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.

Luke 12:44. "Sell your possessions and give alms; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Mt. 19:20ff. The young man said to Him, "All these commands I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Acts 4:32-35. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.

Mt. 25 “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”