Toon and text by John Auchter
This week’s cartoon is an open question to my fellow Christians. It’s not intended to exclude non-Christians — you’re certainly welcome to ponder it, too. It’s just that I’ve never committed myself to a non-Christian faith or philosophy, so I wouldn’t presume to have the qualifications. Whereas I’ve been an active, practicing Roman Catholic all my life.
“Practicing” being the key word here. I’ve been at it a long time, but can’t say that I’ve got it right. The best evaluation I could hope for at any given performance review would be “does not meet expectations.” So I ask not from a position of “holier than thou,” but from a genuine confusion in trying to reconcile the teachings of Jesus Christ with American health care policy.
Obviously my question is easily traced to the ongoing chaos playing out in Washington,ChMay D.C. Watching the Congress grapple with health care these past few months feels like a live theater production of the Book of Revelations (except Revelations is more whimsical and easier to understand).
But what really tripped it off was State Senator Rick Jones submitting a bill to eliminate health insurance benefits for domestic partners for state employees. http://
In the context of our current system, it seems sensible enough. Jones wants to save the state some money. Why don’t these people just get married? Well, here are a couple of things:
There are rules in place to limit if not eliminate gaming the system — couples must prove they are in fact domestic partners. And the money saved (a million annual dollars) is relatively minor, especially if you consider that it is going to provide health care for real, actual people.
But it’s his awkward attempt at being hip with the kids (“put a ring on it”) that exposes the undercurrent. Two years ago Jones floated the same bill in the hopes of eliminating health care benefits to same-sex couples. This isn’t about saving money; this is about enforcing moral superiority.
The idea of meting out basic human health care based on a person’s wealth, intelligence, or morality is simply not Christ-like. I mean, what’s next? Kicking transgender people out of the military because of their supposed potential for health care expense?
John Auchter draws cartoons. Lots and lots of them. You can find them at his incredibly popular website auchtoon.com. You can also find his stuff on Michigan Public Radio’s website under Opinion.
All of you socialists have been trying to equate Christ and his teachings with socialist policy for years. You are idiots. Jesus Christ was not a Democrat or socialist or progressive or liberal or anything else you idiots pretend. The fact that you try and use Christian faith as a hammer to bash people with political opinions on policy other than your own proves you are not a good person and have low morals.
Get a life Auchter. You have no point. Your fellow parishioners should be ashamed. Stop with your fake analogies designed to bash people based on their Christian beliefs.
“All of you (conservatives) have been trying to equate Christ and his teachings with (conservative) policy for years. You are idiots. Jesus Christ was not a Republican or conservative or anything else you idiots pretend. The fact that you try and use Christian faith as a hammer to bash people with political opinions on policy other than your own proves you are not a good person and have low morals.
Get a life. You have no point. Your fellow parishioners should be ashamed. Stop with your fake analogies designed to bash people based on their Christian beliefs.”
Sound familiar? It is possible to respond without attacking.
If Jesus Christ were alive today with his beliefs and doctrine He would be considered a democrat. With that said he wouldn’t discriminate against anyone the way the God fearing Republicans do. They are phonies and hypocrites. Jesus loved all and helped the poor and under privileged. Didn’t go around calling people idiots and judging about their morales.
Pure hooey. No one is equating anything. He’s simply saying – and I agree – is live your faith don’t just talk it. Pointing out the obvious isn’t “bashing.”
BS – He is trying to say people who don’t agree with Obamacare are not good Christians. Any claims otherwise are lies.
You do dishonor to the teachings of Christ with your political lies.
I missed the part where he “tried to say people who don’t agree with Obamacare are not good Christians”. I thought he was talking about the chaos in Washington over the past few months trying to create a new healthcare program.
Working Dad, you are so far out of line on this one that it’s making my head spin. John is not “bashing” anyone. In fact, it’s obvious that he’s trying hard NOT to bash.
You, sir, seem to have extremely thin skin. Perhaps you should take a moment or two to take a deep breath and think about Linda’s post. She’s spot on.
“The fact that you try and use Christian faith as a hammer to bash people with political opinions on policy other than your own proves you are not a good person and have low morals.”
Isn’t that what you just did?
I see that some of these liberal accounts are fake. That means no credibility!
Back again huh Les.
What the hell does that even mean? Do you just take Faux News talking points and use them in any situation?
What the hell does that even mean? Do you just take Faux News talking points and use them in any situation?
You failed to notice that someone created a fake account named “Jesus” for this topic? You seriously missed that?
I know two people named Jesus, pronounced hey-suse. So no, I didn’t see that heinous breach of etiquette.
So that’s yet another fake liberal account responding!
So domestic partners get benefits, but if two brothers share an apartment, or, better yet, two (non-sexual) friends do so, they don’t qualify. Sounds like preferential treatment to me.
Here’s a hint about domestic partnerships: they do involve sex. Might be hetero, might be homo, but to qualify, you gotta have it. So if your brothers are sexually involved with each other? Well, it’s unusual but I guess they’d qualify. The two non-sexual friends? No. What’s preferential about that? They are NOT partners of any sort.
Health care for everyone would solve all the problems. Take the profit out of health care and problem solved. I can’t imagine Christ picking who should receive health care and who shouldn’t. We are to be Christ like but we sure do fall short as a nation.
Finally, a voice of reason. Thank you, Teddy!
oh but Jesus did heal the sick – socialist or not. i don’t recall reading in my Bible where he asked to see anyone’s Blue Cross card.
he also said love one another and several verses about caring for one another.
and then, well, would universal coverage for everyone make these nonissues?
You liberals who are trying to jam National Health Care down our throats don’t have a leg to stand on when you try to shame Christians for failing on health care. Most hospitals were originally founded by Christian entities. To hear you speak, you’d think that we have had people dying all over the place in all our history until Obamacare came along. The money that Obama spent alone on his web site that didn’t work could have been used to expand health clinics for the poor and all kinds of things. But of course we know that he and his liberals didn’t care how well it worked as long as we had more people in the end depending on government.
We’re not trying to “jam” anything down your throats. Everyone should have basic health care. This discussion isn’t about the Affordable Care Act, this is about Congress trying to strip millions of Americans of their health care.
And how is this “The idea of meting out basic human health care based on a person’s wealth, intelligence, or morality is simply not Christ-like” shaming Christians? Do you believe that Christ would think it’s okay if poor people get shut out of the health care system? Do you think Christ would think it’s okay that poor people have lousy policies while the wealthy have great policies? Do you REALLY think Christ would be okay with that? Seems to me that’s all he’s asking.
Your statement about churches starting hospitals originally just really doesn’t play into the equation. That was then, this is now. If you haven’t noticed, there are still a lot of church affiliated hospitals–I’ve been treated at some of them and found the care to be excellent. The problem is the for profit hospitals that also provide excellent (or not) care but at an exorbitant cost.
And you’re the one exaggerating–not John. No, he didn’t claim people were dying all over the place until the Affordable Care Act came along.
And darn it all, we “liberals” DO care about how well it works. Many of us see the flaws in the Affordable Care Act and we want them fixed. But Trumpcare? Millions of people left with no insurance? Medicaid patients–the neediest among us–left with no insurance? Flush it back into the swamp it came out of.
I am ashamed that my country does not have fair and equal health coverage for everyone regardless of sexual orientation, marital status, political leaning or religion. Every other civilized country takes care of their citizens.
Amen and amen.
And another voice of reason. Thank you, Judith.
Jesus Christ never instructed his followers to give all of their money to the Romans and just assume they would do something good with it.
You libs are beyond deluded.
Hillary lost…. Get over it.
Yeah. Hillary lost. Why are you so angry?
Why do they keep bring up Hillary.? Reps should be ashamed of the fool they elected. Make fun of handicapped people and just grab women by the blanks.Lies lies lies. Done nothing since he’s been in office but make this country look bad. The guy is delusional and mentally ill.
Working Dad, you really do use extremes as your talking points, don’t you? You are entitled to your opinion, as is everyone else in this thread. I agree with the post that says we need to get profit out of healthcare, as that system does not seem to be working. But both parties need to work on the solution to fixing healthcare, in order to find a system that benefits the majority of our citizens.
Please keep this in mind: not all Democrats are Liberals, not all Liberals are Democrats, and not all Liberals are Socialists. Be careful how you label people
Well working dad, you should go out and find someone who is sick and has no health insurance and pay their bills. Solves your problem. That way you know something good is being done with it. I betcha Christ would do that, how bout you?
I’m guessing that “Working Dad” is angry because, deeeeeeeeep down inside, he questions his ‘us vs. them’ beliefs. He remembers his saviour’s teachings about loving one another, but is frustrated at how hard they are to live on a daily basis. It’s easier to blame others than to be empathetic. It’s so much easier to side with Caesar than to side with the oppressed.
Often, those who have felt oppressed are the first to think, “Now it’s time for me!”, when a new government takes over. But, when the goodies from on high don’t flow quickly enough, they fall back into anger and blaming others rather than those who have ALL the power.
People are usually the angriest just before their “vision on the road to Damascus”. Come out into the light, Working Dad. It really is much happier here. You belong with your peers, not a bunch of billionaires who are picking your pockets daily; billionaires who are looking for ways to further suppress the vote (and therefore suppress democracy).
All your friends here have outstretched arms. In Billy’s words…”Just as you are”. We’ll wait.
😉
There are Christians and their are hypocrites pretending to be Christians.
I often ask rightwingers; “what would Jesus say?”
The right’s agenda is to deprive liberties from those whom make them uncomfortable, ie: LGBTs, Muslims, brown skinned people, Atheists.
Good people and bad people exists in all belief systems and in non-believers.
Wow! This has turned pretty cuckoo. Here is the answer: Jesus likes the Affordable Care Act. The Pharisees like Trump. End of debate.