We hear all the time from the Democratic Party establishment about the necessity of attracting "faith" voters and doing our best to modify the party's perceived image of being "hostile to religion". Now we all know that Dems who say this are simply plunging into (false) Republican frames -- millions of religious Americans are proud Democrats -- but the fact remains that there ARE Democrats who DO believe that this is a shortcoming in the party, and advocate outreach to even the most reactionary elements of "faith" or "values" voters.
The unfortunate consequence of this is that some of these Democratic leaders have apparently reached the conclusion that to attract these religious voters, the Dems need to compromise some of the most essential of their core values, such as the separation of church and state. And while they're at it they need to also do things like throw gays under the bus.
But all of that is completely unnecessary. There is an essential Democratic issue that can be easily framed in a religious-friendly manner -- and that issue is universal healthcare.
After all, isn't extending health care to every American, regardless of economic status, a pro-life solution to a chronic problem? Every religious faith teaches that we must show "respect for life at all stages". Wouldn't this mean that it's immoral to deny lifesaving healthcare to the poor?
If we insist on forcing women to bear children they can't afford to raise, for the sake of protecting the child's life, wouldn't it be just as appropriate to insist that we provide healthcare to every citizen, as not doing so would deprive that citizen of his or her right to life? Why do we condemn assisted suicide, but not the negligent homicide of a healthcare system that determines who lives and who dies based on wealth?
Why are we means-testing the right to life?
Most Democrats, at one level or another, want to do something about our dysfunctional healthcare system. Democrats are also, at one level or another, trying to figure out how to appeal better to pro-life voters.
So taking a stand on healthcare, and associating it with the right to life, is a golden opportunity for the Democrats to claim the moral high ground on a critical issue that matters enormously to most Americans. And it's a golden opportunity to appeal to the so-called "values voters" without frittering away any traditional Democratic values.
Our healthcare system, today, is built upon the proposition that profits and stockholder returns trump the right to life. Is this compatible with the teachings of any religious tradition in America? Is this a Christian tenet?
And not only would this be a great "moral" hook for the Democratic Party -- it's an excellent way to expose Republican hypocrisy on the issue. There are hundreds of Terri Schiavos who quietly die every week without fanfare because they don't have insurance. Many of them want to live. The religious right and the Republicans have never expressed any concern for them. But we can, and we should. And don't forget the most militant anti-abortion activists who couldn't care less about six-year-old boys dying of preventable tooth infections.
The opportunity is there. Will the Dems take it?