The crux of the Obamacare debate

On Saturday I read lots of columns on the current Obamacare debacle. No need for me to write what others already have, but here are two thoughts—one theological, one political—I didn’t see among all the words. Maybe I missed them, but here goes.

First, from James 2:15-17:

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Jumping off that, an apology is not an apology if the speaker offers words but not deeds within his power. If a brother or sister loses a healthcare plan and President Barack Obama merely says, “Go in peace,” those words are dead.

Second, some political philosophy: The current debate between Democrats and Republicans is nothing new. Liberal Democrats have long espoused equality first, and conservative Republicans liberty first. Millions are losing the health plans they chose because the Obama administration believes Americans should not have the liberty to choose plans that don’t cover contraception or drug addiction or something else deemed vital to include. Equality now! The current debate is not accidental, but one of historical necessity.