Conservatism Lacks Compassion

When George W. Bush ran for president in 2000, I was attracted to his candidacy because he described himself as a “compassionate conservative.” Most Americans agree, at least in general, with the conservative principles of free markets and that the government should not be wasteful, and most Americans are compassionate in that they do not want others to do without food or medical care.

The problem with the current conservative movement is its lack of compassion. A prime example of this lack of concern for the public good is Texas Governor Rick Perry’s opposition to setting up an insurance exchange that would benefit many people here in Texas.

Yahoo News reported:

But when Republican state Rep. John Zerwas tried to move legislation to set up an insurance purchasing pool required by the national overhaul, he ran into a veto threat from Perry.

The purchasing pools — called exchanges — are one of the key features of Obama's law. Close to 4 million Texans stand to gain coverage under the law, nearly half of them through exchanges.

Run by the states, exchanges would let consumers buy coverage from a choice of private plans. Most individuals and families participating would be eligible for federal tax credits to lower their premiums.

Exchanges are supposed to open in 2014. If a state doesn't act in advance, the law authorizes the federal government to set up and run its exchange. And since the Texas legislature meets only every other year, this past session was seen as perhaps the state's only opportunity.

But Zerwas said Perry told him he was concerned that moving ahead with the exchange legislation would undermine a multistate lawsuit against the federal overhaul that Texas is part of, not to mention creating other political problems. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the law's requirement that Americans obtain health insurance — the so-called individual mandate — an issue on which lower courts have split. …

"The position (Perry) was taking veers into some political considerations," said Zerwas. "He felt it would not ring well with some of the constituents and grassroots out there, and frankly, he was concerned it could potentially weaken the arguments in the lawsuit." (http://news.yahoo.com/perry-says-no-obamacare-whats-plan-163317444.html)

 I’m not sure whether Perry’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act is truly ideological or merely political, but a compassionate person would value people’s health more than either of those concerns.

We, the Corporations

Mitt Romney recently made headlines with his statement, “Corporations are people.” This reflects the Republican Party’s staunch defense of tax breaks for corporations and the 2010 ruling by the Republican-dominated Supreme Court that corporate campaign donations should be considered free speech.

In keeping with the Republican Party’s current preference of corporations to flesh-and-blood citizens, I’ve taken the liberty of updating a few quotes from the great Republican leaders of the past:

Abraham Lincoln: “Government of the people corporations, by the people corporations for thepeople corporations, shall not perish from the earth.”

Theodore Roosevelt: “We have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people corporations."

Dwight Eisenhower: “Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people corporations and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage.”

Ronald Reagan: This idea that government was beholden to the people corporations, that it had no other source of power, is still the newest, most unique idea in all the long history of man's relation to man.

Where the Religious Right Is Wrong

Texas Governor Rick Perry is attending a prayer meeting this week at Reliant Stadium in Houston along with several right-wing religious leaders, including Tony Perkins and James Dobson.

Please note that I use the term “religious leaders” rather than “Christian leaders” or “ministers.” I make this distinction because—while I would never question the faith of a fellow Christian—the leadership provided by Dobson and his ilk is anything but Christian.

Instead of encouraging followers to follow Jesus’ teaching (see Matthew 22:37-39), they focus their energy on opposing gay marriage or on trivial issues like school prayer.

Likewise, right-wing politicians consistently support tax cuts for the rich and oppose programs to help the poor.

Consider the following Bible verses—all from Christ himself—and then consider the actions of right-wing politicians and religious leaders like Perry and Dobson.

…Sell everything you have and give to the poor…

-Luke 18:22

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed,

because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.

-Luke 14:13-14

You cannot serve both God and Money.

-Matthew 6:24

They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.

-Mark 12:39-41

Flawed Thinking on Taxes

An interesting article in the Washington Post points out the flawed Republican thinking about taxes:

"Many liberals are aghast that Obama is offering up a deal that would slice deeply into entitlements and discretionary spending in return for only half as much in added tax revenue as recommended last year by the fiscal commission he appointed. But it now appears they have little to fear, since even this deal is unacceptable to House Republicans. Obama’s gambit has made more apparent that the Republican priority is less closing the deficit per se than shrinking government and, above all, cutting taxes.

This singular focus has been several decades in the making. The Reagan Revolution was spurred by “supply side” animus, but Reagan himself presided over several tax increases. He escaped GOP opprobrium, but when George H.W. Bush signed a deficit deal with higher taxes, he was cast as a traitor. George W. Bush passed two big tax cuts, which nonpartisan budget experts now say were a major factor in today’s deficits."
(Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/five-questions-on-the-debt-ceiling-debate/2011/07/14/gIQAcLKeGI_story_1.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost)

Obama seems willing to compromise and work to solve the country's problems. So far, Republicans have offered nothing but a return to the same fiscal policies that were in place when the recession started.

Rick Perry’s Latest Attempt to Sabotage Health Care Reform

Texas Governor Rick Perry, an opponent of health care reform who supported attempts to overturn the Affordable Care Act, has launced his latest attack against Health Care Reform by threatening to veto any legislation that would help implement the health insurance exchanges called for by the Act.

According to American Medical News: “The exchanges will serve as one-stop marketplaces for qualifying health coverage beginning in 2014. Perry did not want to be seen as aiding the implementation of the health reform law in any way, said Texas Rep. John Zerwas, MD, sponsor of the leading bill to create an exchange, and Texas Medical Assn.”

Perry and other opponents of health care reform are putting partisan politics ahead of the public good.

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/11/gvse0715.htm

Prejudice in Disguise

I am saddened that my home state of Texas has joined other Republican-dominated states in proposing anti-immigration legislation. The proposed Texas law would, among other restrictions, prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” by forcing local law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of people detained for other offenses.

Supporters of the bill say they are not prejudiced against Hispanics, they merely oppose illegal immigration. Opponents of segregation a half century ago had similar arguments (remember “separate but equal?”). Although supporters of the law point out that it merely enforces the current immigration laws, it is widely believed that our immigration laws are unjust and unenforceable.

Critics say the bill would lead to racial profiling and keep Hispanic crime victims and witnesses from talking to police. I’ll go farther and say the proposed law is bigoted and oppressive.

Balancing Act

Why do I no longer vote for Republicans? A quick look at the current budget debate provides a good example. Both parties agree that we need to balance the budget battle. The Republican plan proposed by Paul Ryan would cut future Medicare benefits. It would also make the poorest Americans pay federal income tax while cutting the tax rate for the wealthiest even lower than the current rate under the controversial Bush tax cuts.

I disagree with Democrats on several key issues, but the Republicans propose cutting benefits for the elderly and stealing from the poor to give to the rich. I will never support this type of injustice, and I will vote against any candidate who does.

This Reuters article summarizes the current budget impasse: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/09/usa-debt-talks-idUSN0823575120110609