Wayne Dunn, in an essay, The Wrong Defense of Rights says this:
The most effective way to undermine a rational idea is to "defend" it with an irrational argument. That is precisely what happens when religious conservatives try to defend or justify the idea of individual rights by appealing to Judeo-Christian ideals, ideals which hold that man is his "brother's keeper." What the religious conservatives fail to grasp is that the concept of individual rights is incompatible with the ethic of Brother's Keeper; the two cannot be integrated.
And therein lies the rub. The concept of Universal Health Care, and the concept of Individual Rights are in conflict. If you call yourself religious, you are commanded to assure the welfare of your fellow citizens. The mandate from the higher power extends to the citizens of the earth, not just your hometown, or neighborhood.
The Nation we are so proud of protects and defends individual rights so that we can join together as we wish to accomplish what is best for the society.
WATCH THIS VIDEO. PLEASE. IT EXPLAINS BETTER THAN A WHOLE BIBLE'S WORTH OF WORDS CAN.
THIS is how being your brother's keeper works. It is the mandate of every civilization.
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Comments: 123
"Be the change we want to see."
Thank you for sharing the video.
Well said, Karl. Freedom is only a tool..it's what you do with it that counts. We have no excuses in this country, one of the richest on earth, to continue to deny our neighbor help when in need. And there are so many in need at this time.
I do not believe in any supernatural being or god, but I do believe with all my soul in this - we are blessed in this country with the wealth, the education, and the ability to do massive good for the world. We can choose to do just that, or we can choose the opposite path.
The irony is that we as Americans collectively are not a happy nation. And I believe this is the root of our unhappiness. I have many Rotarian friends who have gone on polio innoculation trips to India and Africa, to the poorest areas. One thing they all remark on is how very happy the people are, especially the children, even though they have virtually nothing in material goods or services. But, the people are very close and supportive of each other.
From whence does true happiness come?
The present schism between our two political parties is disgusting. The hatred, selfishness, and greed in America are disgusting.
If only we all could...
Yes, you are young lady.
That is how the brother's keeper has his rights infringed. It is only those who DO NOT WISH TO REACH OUT WHO object.
The major objection to single payer NATIONAL health insurance is the fact that it REQUIRES YOU AND I to pay for our coverage alongside EVERY OTHER LEGAL RESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY. With the public option the objection is even stronger. It requires that those with coverage and those presently NOT covered all pay for those who cannot pay for the private plans most Americans Have.
George, it is impossible for me to understand how a CHRISTIAN, JEW OR MUSLIM, could, with a clear conscience REFUSE TO DEMAND HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL, regardless of cost. I've no problem at all understanding how a Capitalist, Atheist, or Godless Commie could object.
It is the opposite--it is a joy--
AND it creates all the feelings that people so entrenched in the Me-Me-Me depression take pharmacuticals to UNdo.
If the did habitat for humanity, or red cross or goodwill work? They would
A) Be able to sleep at night with a cleaner conscience.
B) Have that euphorical feeling the comes from helping others.
C) Be right, and proud of themselves--for a change.
Do for others? Yes. Because it feeds the spirit.
Religion--or NOT!
Wilka (Not.)
I will too claim the label Atheist but prefer to refer to my religion as Secular Humanism. Suddenly it makes us, you and me, into WE, You and I. Follow the teachings of Emmanuel, live well and prosper.
I think you are TOTALLY AWESOME AND CORRECT.
The Preamble reads:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
This country was founded to be a cooperative entity. Justice, Tranquility, National Security (common defense), Welfare ( wellness ) of the people and Liberty can only be achieved with the cooperation of the majority of the citizens. Denying everyone equal access to quality healthcare is a violation of the founding principles of this country and is contrary to the constitution itself.
Except we're not talking 'things' here, we're not talking extraneous materials goods. We're talking the ability to have one's health and even life. Isn't it hateful of us to deny that to anybody - old/young, strong/weak, intelligent/feeble-minded - just because they lack the gold to pay for it.
A new motto for the US - Screw you unless you can ante up! Our Founding Fathers would be SO proud of us all today.
Everyone can go to the emergency room and be "evaluated" and if the evaluation finds immediate threat to life or quality of life, treated. But it does not require that a prescription medication be provided after the initial treatment. It does not require that anything be done if the threat to life is a day away. In that case the patient is referred to a doctor and left on his own to get there.
HI ROBERT!
Liberal bias has become the single biggest distortion in modern Bible translations. There are three sources of errors in conveying biblical meaning are, in increasing amount:
* lack of precision in the original language, such as terms underdeveloped to convey new concepts introduced by Christ
* lack of precision in modern language
* translation bias in converting the original language to the modern one.
Experts in ancient languages are helpful in reducing the first type of error above, which is a vanishing source of error as scholarship advances understanding. English language linguists are helpful in reducing the second type of error, which also decreases due to an increasing vocabulary. But the third -- and largest -- source of translation error requires conservative principles to reduce and eliminate.[1]
As of 2009, there is no fully conservative translation of the Bible which satisfies the following ten guidelines:[2]
1. Framework against Liberal Bias: providing a strong framework that enables a thought-for-thought translation without corruption by liberal bias
2. Not Emasculated: avoiding unisex, "gender inclusive" language, and other modern emasculation of Christianity
3. Not Dumbed Down: not dumbing down the reading level, or diluting the intellectual force and logic of Christianity; the NIV is written at only the 7th grade level[3]
4. Utilize Powerful Conservative Terms: using powerful new conservative terms as they develop;[4] defective translations use the word "comrade" three times as often as "volunteer"; similarly, updating words which have a change in meaning, such as "word", "peace", and "miracle".
5. Combat Harmful Addiction: combating addiction by using modern terms for it, such as "gamble" rather than "cast lots";[5] using modern political terms, such as "register" rather than "enroll" for the census
6. Accept the Logic of Hell: applying logic with its full force and effect, as in not denying or downplaying the very real existence of Hell or the Devil.
7. Express Free Market Parables; explaining the numerous economic parables with their full free-market meaning
8. Exclude Later-Inserted Liberal Passages: excluding the later-inserted liberal passages that are not authentic, such as the adulteress story
9. Credit Open-Mindedness of Disciples: crediting open-mindedness, often found in youngsters like the eyewitnesses Mark and John, the authors of two of the Gospels
10. Prefer Conciseness over Liberal Wordiness: preferring conciseness to the liberal style of high word-to-substance ratio; avoid compound negatives and unnecessary ambiguities; prefer concise, consistent use of the word "Lord" rather than "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" or "Lord God."
Thus, a project has begun among members of Conservapedia to translate the Bible in accordance with these principles. The translated Bible can be found here.
http://conservapedia.com/Conservative_Bible_Project
Purely Political with many thanks Karl
Mark
Helping our brothers and sisters doesn't mean we have to agree to nationalized health care. There are better ways. And the fact that we don't agree with a government controlled health care does not mean we don't care. We do. We care about each one - today and tomorrow.
Marilyn, of course you are right, you could always go find a really good insurance plan for all the people you know, and then help them pay for it if they were a little short of cash this month.
It's easier if the government does it instead, and a lot less likely to miss the people you dislike intensely.
How about the person has cancer and can't afford treatment. How about a quadrplegic who is on his own. How about an 85 year man who has no family and very little income. How about the mentally deficient. How about neglected and abused children. I don't think these people will be catching any fish no matter how many fishing lessons you give them.
The problem with you Marilyn is you think anyone who is in need is just not trying hard enough. You think everyone is trying to take advantage of you and all "right thinking Americans". You let your personal greed blind you to the fact that many many people can't fish no matter how hard you try to tell them they can
YOUR POSITION THAT LAZY UNEMPLOYED DOPE USING HOMELESS PEOPLE DON'T DESERVE HELP MAY BE TRUE...BUT IT IS TOO LATE. THEY GET MEDICAID AND MERCY CARE.
It is the working poor who make up the vast majority of UNINSURED.
I'll remember that the next time I walk down the safe streets in my town, collect my mail, see the fire department save lives and property, drive on streets, flush my toilet, turn on the tap, put the garbage out, be thankful that we have a military to help protect us, have Social Security and Medicare to make our senior years a little easier, leave to go to work on a snowy morning after the streets have been plowed, and on and on and on. The fact that we band together and get so much done through our governments is evidence each and every day that government can and is part of the solution to many problems. Does it cause problems, too? Sure. Your car gets you to work. But it also breaks down. You fix it and go on using it. Government is not the answer to every problem. But it is the answer, or part of the answer, to many problems. To say government solves no problems is blatantly untrue.
Wait a minute. How do you know what "people like him" are doing or not doing? Really. How? You don't know. Do you? It's just your assumption. Isn't it?
No, you're not just asking RK a question. You painted an entire group of people based on an assumption. Can you back up your assertion about "people like him"?
You just said that you asked him a fair question. Can we assume you don't know the answer until he answers? Yes, that is a fair assumption. You painted an entire group as being like RK when you don't even know what RK is like in this matter because he hasn't answered you. Get it? You're assumption about the entire group is a prejudice based on nothing.
I think in addition to not being a homosexual, you're not a very good Christian either. You should pray to your God and ask for forgiveness for your sin.
OK everyone you heard it. The police, fire department, post office, roads projects, etc. do not solve problems. banty, you're a hoot. I hope you get to live without government since government solves no problems. If you do, you won't even be able to post here on Gather or anywhere else. You can live in a cabin in the woods. Sounds nice doesn't it? Oh yeah. You're so self reliant. You can do everything for yourself, right? No? Oh you might need some help? So you'll be able to organize enough people to do everything you can't do on your own? Sure you can, banty.
Yeah, Marilyn. That's exactly what your Jesus taught. When someone comes to you without a coat, read him the Constitution. When someone is sick or hungry, read him the Constitution. When someone is in pain, lonely, or lost, read him the Constitution. That's the ticket! Then show him the door.
ARE YOU AWARE OF ANYTHING? Sick people need help. The people who care for them must be paid or they will do some other useful thing and the sick will die. Your position makes no sense in the context of HEALTH CARE, MEDICAL INSURANCE, OR AID TO THE SICK AND LAME.
"I know exactly what the Bible says. Loving our neighbor doesn't mean we just keep feeding him day after day after day. That's not love. That's not respect. That is crippling him."
"Karl, are you really that unable to read? My position has always been that those who earn a good living should be responsible for their own health care. And those who do not should be able to get Medicaid."
EACH quote is an opening line from your comments on this thread. TELL ME AGAIN, What is your position on the "Public Option" or "Single Payer?"
I oppose a complete make-over of something that is not broken, merely wounded. It can be repaired. But that's not on Obama's agenda. That's not what liberals want. They want the government to take control of our health. They want everyone's care to be reduced to something horrible in order to cover everyone. Nice thought, but none of the bills proposed now cover everyone. So, I guess I should ask you. Have you no compassion? Do you hate poor people? Why don't you want everyone to have health care?
I do want everyone to have health care. And those who cannot afford it should be put on an already existing government program. Problem solved. No, it won't get anyone else "free" health care, but that wasn't going to happen anyway. Thankfully, it also won't mean that all of our taxes are increased for this major (unnecessary) overhaul of the system.
That is not merely wounded.
You continually decry the possibility of Government control of medical insurance, while ignoring the profit driven corporate control YOU now live with.
There are very few who actually cannot afford to see a doctor when they are sick. Those who are should be put on Medicaid.
I've been poor, Donna Marie. As a single mom, I got no child support and worked only part time. But I made sure my son and I saw doctors when we needed to. That's part of being a responsible parent.
After that, when I was eligible for medicare, I also needed a Supplemental Insurance plan because the cancer surgery was hundreds of thousands of dollars and 20% of that is devastating. My Supplement was $70.00/mo. for the first three years. Then it escalated yearly until it was over $200/mo. and I had to drop it.
When you discuss all of this you sound so cold hearted. It's as though you have never been seriously ill or had to deal with this problem except for minor medical care over the years. If life were that perfect for all of us, we wouldn't be having the hardships we are now experiencing in our senior years.
I for one have lead a very healthy life style. Nobody can predict that they will get cancer, or... as in my husband's case, heart trouble, failing kidneys, and very serious ramifications from both. But of course, that is not your problem, and he probably ought to go on welfare. Yeah, right!
You may not care what happens to those whom you believe just don't want to spend the money on health care, but I am very, very sure that anyone who can afford even the basic coverage would be more than happy to buy it.
No, Marilyn, I don't know what world you are living in, but I have to tell you that you do come across as someone self-centered, uncaring, and with an attitude of "I've got mine... Screw you!" So maybe you do volunteer work, or something you feel is special, but it obviously hasn't opened your eyes to what the rest of the country is facing.
You see conservative Christians could not care less about their "brother" or "sister" unless that brother owns a business or is rich. In their minds, helping the rich is ok because they "don't try to milk the system". In their minds only those who want to take advantage of the system need help.
Talk about holding to ideology!!!
If I were Christian, I would say "God forbid they get their wish" but then I am not a Christian nor do I wish to be if this is what it means to be one.
Living in the South, Conservative Christians are the majority which probably proves that there is very little intelligent life here. I've had conversations during which I swear I heard an echo every time their mouth opened.
And so help me I've had just about as much as I can take from these moronic, idiotic, pin-headed ideologues.
The difficulty with religion is the people who HIJACK IT, BUT DON'T PRACTICE IT. To often politicians and power seekers use the blind faith of people to gather them to a rally point and then claim their support. OR WORSE, allow leaders of the sect to falsely instruct the faithful.
It's why I never had a lot of possessions. I always tried to make sure I had a job with good benefits. And if that was not possible, then I made sure I had insurance. And when that was not possible, I still saw doctors and made sure my son saw doctors on a regular basis.
At the moment, about 54% of the federal Tax revenue is spend on the Military budget, 36% current expenditure and 18% money that we OWE for past military activity. Cut that budget in half, to 27% of the federal budget, and there is not only money in the system for Health Care, but also for Education, domestic security and A TAX CUT.
Marilyn, KNOCK OFF THE IGNORANT PLAGERIZING OF LYING LIARS AND THE LIES THEY TELL, I don't have time to respond to every one of the fallacies YOU present as fact after some LYING BASTARD ON THE RADIO OR FOX NEWS TOLD YOU THEY WERE TRUE.
So...I would say that you're lying. :)
Like...did you see Hillary on Huckabee's show yesterday? Doubtful.
Did you realize that these bills that they have to combine into one all call for the reform to start in 2012 or 2013? And did you realize that we would begin paying higher taxes immediately to pay for that future care that we don't even know what it is? That's what they're proposing and Hillary admitted it on Fox. Probably wasn't asked on CNN.
Your comment above, "Except for the costs..." What does that mean? That $12,000 a year might be too much to pay for health care?
Well, we think so, too.
Real people don't watch or listen to Huckabee...except in self-defense.
And your lines: "If all you can do is pay for shelter, food, utilities and health care, then so be it. Nothing else is important. That's what I was taught."
Well--good for you, girl. In your tight little white-safe-family-entrenched world. That is not the same world that every other person on the planet experiences. THAT is where you depart from reality.
A.) You had parents--not everyone does. What should orphans do?
B.) You had two parents, and grand parents. Not everyone does. Must be nice.
C) You had a white skin--that was a distinct advantage, wasn't it. (give thanks.)
You had a quality education--(Making assumptions here: I think that, because you can write. However, critical thinking and reason/logic were not necessarily a part of your education--but writing and reading were included--weren't they? That, too, is a distinct advantage.
And because you had these family-given benefits, it allows you to "look down" on kids who were raised without these things, doesn't it?
Marilyn---sometimes you make me crazy with your lack of compassion--
And sometimes you make me crazy with your lack of logic.
Today? Both.
Wilka
Give it to that hypocritical .........lady.
Although "she so dumb" and white it won't do any good.
maryland will never learn what so many morons on this site have , leave us alone and approve comments on your own garbage filled posts.
Thank you and good f'ing night.
Never seen it demonstrated by your writings (rantings) on Gather! LOL
No welfare for the able bodied?
Able to work , work?
I know you mean well, and that you are not by nature a mean spirited person, it comes out in all the kind things you say about teaching people lessons. I am so certain of your kind and generous nature that I would bet my life that if I were on fire you would most certainly hand me a bucket of water and suggest that I put myself out, you might even be willing to lend me your cell phone to call 9 1 1, especially since there is not charge against your air time.
Wilka
Yep...since they don't make Looney Tune Cartoons anymore, intelligent people have to get their humor from SOMEWHERE!
Vicious cycle.
It appears that Marilyn has some sort of math ability which she believes supports her thinking. But, in reality, thousands of people who had health insurance, a job and security have lost all of it. Without the job, there is no money for health insurance. Without health insurance they cannot afford medical payments.
If they are lucky enough to be receiving unemployment and took their unemployment money to buy health insurance, their families would not have a roof over their heads, or food and clothing, and that alone would lead to ill health.
She neglects to recognize (or admit) that the price of EVERYTHING has escalated and this is not the time period in which she grew up! She lives in la-la land.
There is no point in even trying to explain the horrible reality of what is happening all around her because she wears a blindfold. Marilyn IS a mean spirited, self-obsessed, cold hearted woman who apparently came from a long line of similar thinking people. Bless her heart, she just can't help it!