A Definite Case of Socialism

Thumbing through the "good book" I came across something rather confusing. I've been under the assumption that Jesus was a Republican.

Socialism in the Bible?

How could this be?

Please read from Luke, Chapter 10 verses 25-37;


25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

27 He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."


I'll give two silver coins for health care reform. "Love your neighbor as yourself", what a freakin concept.

From my own experience;

I work for a large telecommunications company and am a member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Recently we went through contract negotiations. It appeared a strike was imminent. The sticking point? Health Care costs. The deadline was extended and we went back to work.

Again, the deadline approached and we prepared for a strike. They extended as negotiations continued past midnight. Finally an agreement was reached.

I got a raise, then I lost income all in one fell swoop. My company decried the average annual cost (medical benefits) per employee of around $12,000 per year, bargained that the employee pick up more costs so they can stay competitive. We now contribute more to our health care, essentially flat lining my raise. The new version has higher deductibles and less coverage, leaving me with a decrease in my salary. We relented, feeling lucky to even have jobs in this post Bush economy, wanting to help our company "stay competitive".

In my mind, if we continue to do nothing the time will come when I lose my coverage altogether. For some of my fellow co-workers it's already happened as we are currently under a "Surplus", which means the company is cutting more costs by laying them off even after we agreed to take on more of the health care costs to help them out. My friends and fellow employees face an uncertain future in a tough economy and limited coverage options like COBRA once they've been kicked to the street. Ever have to pay those premiums? I have. A few thousand dollars for about four months. I never will see it again while the insurance company has invested it I'm sure.

That should give you some idea as to my passion. I am thoroughly pissed off at the knuckle draggers who yell socialism when confronted with health care reform. It only shows ignorance. Signs showing Obama as Hitler makes me want to kick the persons ass who's carrying it. Do they even realize that if Obama lived in Nazi Germany he would have been sent to die in a gas chamber? He's hardly a vision of the Master Race, and when considering it, all I see are pissed off white people doing the yelling and screaming. They're just a turkey trot to a goose step themselves. What idiots, little to no self awareness whatsover and lost on historical facts. For GOD's sake, quit invoking that murdering, racist, fascist bastard so horrendously wrong! You could at least apply history correctly in your blinding rage.

The problem is, they are problem. Now they want to obstruct the effort to reform? My patience has long since waned. I got two words for those folks, any guesses as to what they are?

Consider yourself lucky if you have good health insurance. Also consider that it could get worse or go away at any time without reform. There's no guarantee that it will remain the same or available. Do we want the insurance companies holding all the cards or would you like more control over who you seek health care services from? This effort is nothing new, dating back to Harry Truman yet some of us act like we're rushing into this. I just wish we had the same considerations before we rushed into Iraq, spending trillions with little accountability.

My wife has her own business. No way could we afford to buy health insurance off the shelf. Most small businesses in America face the same thing. Big companies get breaks that the little guy could never negotiate. Talk about stunting free enterprise. The small business owner was Thomas Jefferson's ideal dream for America, yet our system punishes them while rewarding big business. Wouldn't it be great if there was a single payer option that's affordable that's not tied to whether we work for a large company or not?

I'd like to have some of those family values I've heard so much about. Apparently when they come with "costs" attached, they're liberal and evil. Just paint me a socialist then because I see health care as a moral issue. The Bible appears to say the same thing. Some of us consider it an economic issue. Jesus was certainly mindful of the health and well being of the people and never once discussed pre-existing condition (other than what affliction to heal), proper coverage and ability to pay. At least that I could find anyways.

If you do think the health care issue is purely economic, this is for you: