Why do Republicans side with health insurance profiteering over Jesus' call to help the sick?

[blm]

Anyone know a Republican or a corporatist Dem who has answered that question?

[bunkerbuster1]

1. Because they believe in a gun-totin' Hummer-drivin' Jesus.

Which is to say they don't actually believe in the teachings of Jesus.

[blm]

5. Republican POLITICIANS are not Christians from everything I've seen, yet they duped millions into

believing they are followers of Christ's words and teachings.

I don't think they COULD have done that without the cover the corporate media has given them by anointing the GOP long ago as protectors of Christianity.

I have never seen ANY Republican leader act as a follower of Jesus in the nearly 40 years I've paid attention to politics.

[roguevalley]

62. they believe a heretical interpretation of what God expects. They

believe that if they just ask Jesus to forgive them it happens. They forget the next part. To truly earn forgiveness you must repent and change your actions. They don't do that part. They don't teach or profess that part because its hard and they would not be able to do the things they do. They are simpleton Christians, not really Christians at all. They are Pauline and they are wrong.

[rusty charly]

2. Because they worship money, not Jesus.

[moondust]

13. Bingo! Jesus = Money.

[solargrin]

22. That is funny.

That is extremely funny considering the source. A guy who thinks he deserved $25.00 / hr for turning a screw.

[rusty charly]

33. Eat me, asshole.

[solargrin]

34. Awesome Response!

You are really on top of you game.

[rusty charly]

41. And you're an idiot.

[SammyWinstonJack]

64. Oh go turn a screw. nt

[HughBeaumont]

61. Anyone who shits on blue collar work has never done it.

Enjoy your dirtnap.

[SammyWinstonJack]

63. Thought long and hard on that one, did ya?

:eyes:

[Wapsie B]

3. Their blood lust prevents them from seeing the Jesus of compassion.

It's always "the fear of God" rather than the love of God. Same reason people like that had uncontrollable orgasms over "The Passion of Christ." It was full of blood. But you'll not see them with a picture of baby Jesus emblazoned on their t-shirts, only the bloody Crucifixion.

[blm]

10. Wonder why that 'bloodlust' of GOPs stops when it comes to actually SERVING in the military.

All of a sudden these guys get incapacitating boils on their butts and bad knees or become feces-encrusted loons to avoid service.

[mysuzuki2]

4. It is a lot easier to worship Jesus

than to actually follow his teachings. It is also beside the point.

[mitchum]

6. Because there is a sucker born again every minute

[blm]

LOLOL

.

[DCKit]

54. Subtle, but deeply satisfying. n/t

[Cleita]

7. Because they can't get elected otherwise.

They need the corporate campaign funds to run. So the bribery is in. Bringing along the Kool-Aid drinkers only takes some propaganda from Rush/Billo/Sean and their Chri$tian Pa$tors, who are also getting their palms greased in various ways by the same industries. So now you know.

[solargrin]

23. The other side of the leaf.

Is that not what dems do when they get their funding from unions and buy votes through government handouts? So I think that is a wash.

[girl gone mad]

49. The biggest entitlement program in the last 30 years..

was Bush's Medicare Part D drug company subsidy, which he never actually figured out how to pay for. Let's not forget the handouts to big energy, defense contractors, faith-based "charities" (church subsidies, so much for separation of church and state), private school vouchers... seems like Republicans could teach us a thing or two about buying votes.

[mdmc]

8. $

they want the cash. they will repent on their deathbed..

[spanone]

9. they're faux christians.....money trumps the lord

[Mrs. Overall]

11. Because if they were to really follow Jesus, they would soon realize he was basically a socialist,

a bleeding heart liberal, and a pacifist.

They can't go there.

[LostInAnomie]

12. When do they ever give a fuck about what Jesus said?

Unless something from the Bible can be used to beat over someone's head, they never give a shit about it.

[rurallib]

14. I think the bible was rewritten in the 1890s

And Jesus said "Let the rich man ride the camel all the way to heaven. And poke your eyes out with needles since the poor are not worthy to gaze on the rich."

[Canuckistanian]

15. Jesus already upended their tables

Now they're back for more money-changing, only using Jesus' name for their profit mongering.

[gleaner]

16. Based on their actions....

Republicans use religious faith to attract and keep a political base. Once they attain power, like most people who attain power they will do anything to keep the power they have and add to it. They also use their base as a stepping stone to enrich themselves, follow agendas which have nothing to do with the laws of this country and try to force everyone in this country to march in lockstep. Profiteering is why they exist as a political party. Jesus doesn't even enter into it for them.

I am not a Republican or a Corporatist Democrat, but I thought I would answer the question any way. I can't think of anyone in either of the two categories you listed coming anywhere near a question like this, so I thought I might as well provide what I think is an obvious answer.

Besides, Christ healed people for nothing. I can't imagine any health insurance company or medical facility stepping up to do that. Also this is a secular government. There is a separation of church and state that I fervently want to see observed. What is the quotation? "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. Health insurance reform is not a religious issue. It is a secular issue which has everything to do with the compassion of human beings for each other, but which does not address religious beliefs. This is how it should be.

[blm]

20. I agree - I have never seen a Republican ever side with Jesus' teachings. Jesus NEVER enters into

their calculations at all when it comes to serving their REAL masters.

[solargrin]

25. Whatever happened to the seperation?

I thought there was suppose to be a separation between the church and state. I mean we can't pray in school so why should we consult religious teachings when determining what to do about health care.

[gleaner]

29. The separation ....

has been strained and stretched almost to the breaking point. Reagan was one of the first presidents to actively try to erode it, and Bush finished what he started.

I don't think combining theology and government serves anyone well. People need to practice their religions as they see fit short of pushing them down everyone else's throats or trying to tamper with the workings of government to favor religion over legislating secular issues for the majority. In the U.S. there are so many different religions and belief systems that it seems that the fundies are given a way disproportionate amount of air and print space. Since they comprise roughly 22% of the the population this is completely inappropriate, even if the U.S. were in the business of pandering to religions which we are not. Definitely and Constitutionally we are guaranteed a separation of church and state. Maybe we should stand up and insist on it, write letters to government officials and engage in other peaceful protests until we are once again a mostly secular nation. I don't want to live in a theocracy. I have too many questions and concerns that would not be tolerated in that venue, and I really dislike seeing people shoved into rigid little boxes where they might not belong.

[blm]

31. The point is that Republicans ALWAYS talk as IF they're the ones carrying out Jesus' word, but

when have you ever seen any of them actually do it?

Republicans have no problem with pretending as if they don't separate religion from state, but they actually do when it comes to most every one of the teachings of Christ.

[solargrin]

36. How about these

What about freeing the oppressed, republican donate more money to nonprofits, and being pro life. Those are just a few I could name more. Giving never ending handouts to people do not help them it only drives them further down. If you don't believe that drive by the slums in any city no matter what the ethnicity is and you can see the results of Liberal agendas. California and New York are two of the biggest liberal states and they are bankrupt from it. It does not work. Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he can eat for the rest of his life. Which is more Christ like?

[lolly]

45. They donate more to CHURCHES

Not to charities that actually help people.

Well, except people like the Rolls-Royce driving pastors of the megachurches.

And pro-health care IS pro-life.

[newspeak]

56. I'd say you better look at those GOP donations

and I want to see the stats that have GOP donating more to charities. Pro-life is health care. Yeah, let me know how it works for you when you lose your job and have no health insurance and your 401K has gone to crap. New York City had Guliani for a mayor and he cared more for students having uniforms--all looking alike, instead of the buildings falling down around children"s heads. Some of the worst police scandals happened under Guliani. Oh by the way, he was a REPUBLICAN!!! And, then there was his alleged tryst in the WTC while he was still married. Let me know if you think Bloomberg is a liberal. California was Enronized-totally ripped off by *'s best buddy, ol' Kenny Boy. When California governor, Davis, pleaded for the federal government, which was *, to regulate--he told him "NO". Ya see, it's okay for his little de-regulating buddies to rip off old people and the sick, cause he's a good Christian. When California de-regulated the energy companies, that's when a lot of shite started hitting the fan. What are you complaining about--California has a REPUBLICAN governor, who allowed Enron to get away with paying back little to nothing. You can teach a man to fish, but if there is no water, it pretty much defeats the purpose, doesn't it? It's called having a decent--let me emphasize "DECENT" job. A woman at one of *'s rally explained to him that she was a single mother working two jobs trying to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. Now, what do you think his response was? He said wasn't it great that she lived in America where she could work two jobs. Totally fekkin clueless. And, what type of "liberal" agenda will I see when I go into an inner city. Since, Reagan the social safety net of this country has been degraded--over thirty years, and that includes Clinton's "deformed act."

So, what's your solution. Want to murder the poor or the mentally ill, who are homeless? Some, who are on the streets fought for this country. Yeah, I bet you can pull yourself up by your bootstraps until you don't have that cushy job, or until you get a catastrophic illness or some other major disaster hits. You think all of your selfish buddies are going to help you? You going to have a bake sale for your medical bills? I've met a couple of right wing, prejudice assholes that complained about those "welfare queens." Funny thing, both played the system. Both got injured on the job (oh, excuse me, one actually got injured playing baseball, wink, wink) and put in for worker's compensation. Actually the other one was working on a house before he got injured, too. Imagine that.

[blm]

58. Teach him to fish? It's Dems who want solid educational and training programs. GOPs gut education in

the areas that need it most.

You sure have a lofty and UNREALISTIC view of Republicans.

[sweetpotato]

60. I seem to recall something about a sermon of Jesus'

Where he "gave them a fish" and fed them only for a day.

The loaves and fishes story, anyone?

The actual issue we are discussing is when a group of people claim to be compassionate, claim to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, then I expect that group to actually ACT that way. Not that I think that their beliefs should be imposed upon others (that is the core of separation of Church and State, BTW), but I do believe in practicing what you preach.

In my Bible, Jesus said that whatever you do to other people, you actually do to him.

Would you deny Jesus food, shelter and medical care?

[bmbmd]

17. Just for reference

here's a list of Jesus' actual "commands".
The fifty commands of Jesus

1 Don't call Jesus Lord when you don't obey Him. Lk 6:46, Mt 7:21.
2 Build on the rock of obedience to Jesus otherwise you will fall. Mt 7:24-27, Lk 6:47-49.
3 Worship God alone. Mt 4:10b, Lk 4:8.
4 Follow Jesus. Mt 4:19, 11:28-30, Mk 1:17, Jn 1:43,12:26, 10:27, 21:22b.
5 Be salt and light to this world. Mt 5:13-16 Mk 9:50, Lk 11:33, 14:34. Jn 3:21.
6 Don't call your brother a fool. Mt 5:22, 12:36.
7 Practice instant reconciliation. Mt 5:24-25.
8 Do not look with lust at another this is adultery in the heart. Mt 5:27-28.
9 Do not divorce and marry another, this is adultery. Mt 5:32, 19:9, Mk 10:11-12.
10 Don't swear an oath. Mt 5:33-37.
11 Do more than expected, go the 2nd mile. Mt 5:38-41.
12 Give to those that ask. Mt 5:42, Lk 6:30, 38.
13 Love, bless and pray for your enemies. Mt 5:43-48, Lk 6:27-29.
14 Quietly do good for God's praise alone. Mt 6:1-4.
15 When you pray, fast or give do it secretly. Mt 6:5-6.
16 Don't use vain repetitions when praying. Mt 6:7-8, Mk 12:40.
17 Pray to God the Father. Mt 6:9, Jn 16:23-24.
18 Don't be anxious. Mt 6:25-32, Lk 12:22-30, Jn14:1, 16:33.
19 Store your riches in heaven not on earth. Mt 6:19-21, 33, Lk 12:21, 31-34, Jn 12:25.
20 Judge not that you may not be judged. Mt 7:1-5, Lk 6:37, 41-42, Jn 7:24.
21 Keep asking, seeking and knocking. Mt 6:9-11, 7:7-11, Lk 11:9-13.
22 Treat others as you like to be treated. Mt 7:12, Lk 6:31.
23 Don't waste time on argumentative people. Mt 7:6.
24 Forgive others. Mt 6:12, 14-15, 18:21, Mk 11:25-26, Lk 11:9-13.
25 Let the dead bury their dead. Mt 8:22, Lk 9:6a.
26 Don't fear people-fear God. Mt 10:28, 16:23, Lk 12:4-5.
27 Confess Christ before men. Mt 10:32-33, Mk 5:19, 8:38, Lk 9:26, 12:8-9.
28 Take up your cross. Mt 10:38-39, 16:24-26, Mk 8:34-37, Lk 9:23-26, 14:26-33.
29 Beware of hypocrisy and greed. Mt 15:6-9, 23:28, Lk 6:41-42, 12:1b, 20:46-47.
30 Privately rebuke a brother and if he repents forgive him. Mt 18:15, Lk 17:3-4.
31 Pay your taxes and give to God what is his. Mt 22:21, Mk 12:17, Lk 20:25, 21:4.
32 Love God and others. Mt 22:37-40, Mk 12:30-31, Lk 10:27, Jn 15:12, 13:34-35.
33 Keep alert and watch for the 2nd coming. Mt 24:44,46, 50-51, Mk 14:62, Lk 12:35-40, 21:27-28.
34 Honour God with all that you have been given. Mt 25:14-31, Lk 18:18.
35 Minister to others as you would to Jesus Himself. Mt 25:34-46.
36 Preach the Gospel and teach obedience. Mt 28:20, Mk 16:15, Lk 9:60b, Jn 21:15b, 16b, 17b.
37 Repent of your sins. Mk 1:15, Lk 13:3,5, Lk 15:7,10, 18-24.
38 Believe in Jesus Mk 16:16, Lk 9:35, Jn 12:36, 6:29, 20:29, 14:6.
39 Have child like faith. Mk 10:15, Lk 18:17, Mt 9:29.
40 Don't sell things in God's house. Mk 11:15-17, Jn 2:16.
41 Rejoice when you are persecuted. Lk 6:22-23.
42 Don't be distracted from hearing God's Word. Lk 10:38-42.
43 Act with compassion and not prejudice towards others. Lk 10:30-37.
44 Invite the poor to eat with you. Lk 14:13-14.
45 Humble yourself & take the lowest position Lk 14:8-11, 18:13-14, Mt 23:12, 19:30.
46 You must be born again. Jn 3:3, Jn 3:5-8.
47 Live in Me and live in My love. Jn 8:31-32, Jn 15:4, 9
48 Don't covet your bother's blessing Lk 12:13-15, 15:29-30
49 Be baptised Mt 29:19, Mk 16:16
50 Strive for perfection Mt 5:48, Jn 15:14

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Fifty-Commands-Of-Jesus&id=468177

[Skittles]

18. because that's the side churches are on

[Davis_X_Machina]

21. Team spirit. The GOP is their team. n/t

[KansDem]

19. Jesus died broke.

That's not what Republicans want.

[Ilsa]

24. We're a country with two Jesuses. One Jesus is

probably has an olive complexion or is very dark skinned, asked us to visit the imprisoned, feed the hungry, and care for the sick.

The blonde blue-eyed Jesus of the GOP encourages his followers to arm themselves to the teeth, rape the environment, promote the acquisition of wealth as a sacred calling, kill Muslims, and segregate themselves from poor people or foreigners. They are the ones who teach that whoever dies with the most money and paid the least taxes gets to sit on the right side of God.

[KansDem]

35. "The blonde blue-eyed Jesus of the GOP ..."

[Ilsa]

48. That's the one! he's missing an urban assault vehicle, though, and

I forgot to mention he should be singing Onward Christian Soldiers while playing electric guitar.

[OHdem10]

26. They read the part in the Bible : We will always have the poor amongst us

and interpret that to mean we have no obligation to them.
I guess you can make the Bible mean just about anything.

Check out some of the beliefs of the "Family".

Separately, but along this line: On Lou Dobbs tonight
someone pointed out that Obama is changing his approach
on Health Care. He is speaking in terms of a moral
imperative.

Ed Rollins, Republican Consultant: Not a good move.
This morality talk will not fly. You will get people
all roiled . .....personal responsibility.

[undeterred]

27. They project their Republican values onto their theology.

"Family values" means "I care about my family and I don't give a crap about yours".

They value the individual, capitalism/the free market, and privatization. They see themselves as God's chosen ones.

"God helps those who help themselves" is nowhere to be found in the Bible- but you'd never know it.

There is next to nothing in the bible about abortion and homosexuality- but you'd never know it.

The bible contains 66 books, most of which were written more than 2000 years ago by people about whom very little is known. You can create a theology for almost anything by emphasizing certain parts and excluding others.

So, they believe in the Republican Bible, in which the words of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount, are missing. And the healing acts of Jesus? That means give more money to the church.

:rant:

[Uncle Joe]

28. Because the corrupt have long perfected the art of co-opting opposing ideals or symbols

and converting them to their own.

Jesus in the only violent act of his life that I'm aware of threw the money-changers aka; businessmen of the day out of the Temple aka governing body of the day. I believe Jesus recognized their corrupting influence, I also believe this act was the straw which broke the camel's back leading to Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus also clearly separated the secular from the religious in his "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's" quote.

Ironically we as a Christian or secular nation (take your pick) now print the message of "In God We Trust" on of all things our money! I believe this has carried subliminal implications on our capitalist/oligarch/monopolist society making the subconscious worship of money and wealth a more palatable act, mindless consumerism, greed and avarice have almost become national virtues to the point of threatening life as know it via global warming climate change.

It goes to follow that if money becomes your God, those people without it; no matter the cause are more distant from the holy and therefore less worthy, making writing them off, all that much easier, it also adds economic, psychological substance to Bush the Least's proclamation that "You're either with us or against us."

[titoresque]

30. Im not sure but my repuke inlaws always

say "that was the old testament" whenever they want to disregard the bible to suit their greedy, pathetic, asshole ways.

[Motown_Johnny]

42. The Gospel according to Matthew is the New Testament

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Maru Kitteh]

38. You're stalking me, aren't you.

[Maru Kitteh]

37. Because Republicans worship Ceasar first, and Jesus when it's convenient for them.

Mostly when they want to use the Bible to hit someone they don't like over the head.

[proud patriot]

39. they remind me of the seagulls in the Movie "Little Nemo"

" mine mine mine mine mine mine mine "

[Maru Kitteh]

52. Republicans = rats of the sea of depravity

[Motown_Johnny]

40. Situational ethics

[firehorse]

43. They'd rather die diseased and uninsured...

than let a black man provide them with healthcare.

[sendero]

44. Because ..

... they are all about money, like most so-called Christians in this country.

[Sebastian Doyle]

46. Because none of those fools have ever actually READ the Gospels?

They have no idea what Jesus actually said. They just like to yell His name in church while their right wing pastor reads them a handful of cherry picked verses that he spins to "support" a right wing political agenda.

[DailyGrind51]

47. They believe that just thinking they are "saved" will get them into heaven.

James, the Apostle, says, "Na-a!"

Faith Without Deeds

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.


In other words, "Talk is cheap." or, "Actions speak louder than words!"

[glinda]

50. Because they only like to take the Lord's name in vain when they want something.

[babylonsister]

51. Great question. Why do they forget Jesus' teachings when it's convenient? nt

[Jennicut]

53. The words and thoughts of Jesus were manipulated long ago, before America even existed

Not surprising that people continue to do so today. I am a Christian but heck, even I know there are tons of things that were left out of the bible. Politics happened back then and its continued over 2000 years later.

[Fading Captain]

55. I've heard of a Christian belief called the Prosperity Doctrine

Not sure what it means, but I think it's something like, God chooses me to be rich so that I can give more to do God's work, or some nutty thing.

[mwooldri]

57. Cos they don't want to pay any more.

Co-worker - nice enough chap, definitely would go out of my way to help him. Regrettably diametrically opposite political views. He's totally drinking from the Republican Kool-Aid.

It boils down that he doesn't want to pay anymore. He feels the deficit went way up under Obama (what about Bush?) when we were discussing the Kennedys he brought up JFK's father and how pacifist he was during WWII and is pretty much anti-Democratic Party.

I'm open to reasaonable Republican ideas but on healthcare the Republicans have no plan. No way to get health care to everyone that they can all afford that doesn't deny coverage and doesn't put one into bankruptcy court or worse, an early grave as does our present system.

Mark.

[Echo In Light]

59. B/c America is all about wrapping evil in 'good' sounding values/beliefs/priorities, etc

[tj2001]

65. Supply-side Jesus is their Jesus

not some freakin' Arab looking do-gooder