of the Republican Samaritan when he vetoed SCHIP?
Jesus told many stories to illustrate his teachings. The story of the Republican Samaritan is one of the most helpful in understanding how Jesus wants us to live our lives. Surely it influenced the Decider when he decided to veto. We know that Bush is famously reluctant to discuss his faith and its role in his life, but I think he should have made an exception and reminded us all of the story of the Republican Samaritan. Read it once again, below the fold.
A Republican Samaritan on his way to work saw a beaten man lying in an alley. Although the man's skin color was different from his, the Republican Samaritan called 911 on his cell phone. He didn't try to stop the bleeding because he knew about blood-borne diseases. When the EMTs arrived they took the injured man to the emergency room. In the emergency room the staff found out that he didn't have any insurance. Even so, they stitched him up, and determined that he probably didn't have any internal injuries or broken bones. Doctors refused his request for stronger pain medication on the grounds he might be an addict wanting to get high, and if he wasn't, he might become addicted. In spite of his lacerated mouth, the man forced down a meal of lime Jell-O, canned chicken bouillon and diet Sprite. Doctors wrote in his chart that they had advised him to see his family doctor about his high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Then they put him in an unmarked ambulance that dropped him off on the street near a homeless shelter.
The Republican Samaritan drove by the shelter and remarked to his spouse that providing beds and sandwiches to the homeless only encouraged them to choose a lazy, irresponsible lifestyle. His spouse replied that he was quite right. There was no excuse for people who chose to be born into poor, uneducated families, or to suffer from mental or physical disabilities. The Republican Samaritan said there was no need for national health care since anyone could get health care by going to the emergency room. He would send another donation to his Republican Senator's campaign, because that guy could be trusted to keep the capital gains tax low, defense spending high and social safety nets weak.
Suddenly a car driven by a drunk driver roared around the corner, blasting into the Republican Samaritan's BMW with such force that the airbags didn't save them. The Republican Samaritan and his wife found themselves standing in front of tall, pearly gates that were guarded by an angel. The Republican Samaritan and his wife were not worried. They had always been welcome in gated communities. The angel performed the usual financial assessment, checking their bank accounts, stock portfolios and real estate holdings. When he completed his work the angel was very impressed. He sent them straight on in to the throne room, where the Heavenly Father sat listening to harp music. God rose to greet them with hearty claps on the back and effusive congratulations on their well-spent lives, for they had been very, very wealthy when they died.
Later that night the injured man died on his cot of an undetected subdural hematoma. He failed the financial assessment, of course and was sent straight to hell.