Jesus Christ was the quintessential bleeding-heart liberal, and literally so. Then how have conservatives succeeded in co-opting Christianity itself?
Christianity hasn't really died and gone to hell, but it might as well have gone there for all the good that comes from some of its bible-thumping chapter-and-verse-quoting adherents. Many of their conservative positions, especially those opposing universal health care, are the very antithesis of Christ's most important teachings.
Jesus associated with tax collectors and prostitutes. He walked the earth in a time and place where Samaritans were utterly loathed; yet today, because of His most important parable, the word "Samaritan" is inextricably associated with goodness itself. We refer to Christ as the Prince of Peace, not the Monger of War. He uplifted the poor. He fed the hungry without regard for ability to pay. He healed the sick without even once asking to see proof of health insurance.
My hero, David Feldman, puts it best:
But what will Bush, or Gingrich, or Rush, or Michael Steele, or Sarah Palin be able to say when they meet their maker? Huh?
"Well, God, I made certain Big Pharma and WellPoint earned bigger profits while 50 million Americans couldn't afford to see a doctor."
"Oh, yeah. Come on in."
That's the party of Christ? If these guys were alive 2000 years ago, Christ couldn't heal a leper without first getting a pre-authorized reference code and a 50 shekel co-pay.
If Christ wasn't a bleeding-heart liberal through and through, then I ask who on earth really is?
We liberals are in very Good company, indeed.