...or any other Democrat with a spine (I know, I know) say to all those Republicans and neoconservatives and the rest of wingnuttia, right there on the floor of Congress.
Why?
Maybe because I'm tired of being told how this country was founded on "Christian" principles and how the government IS a "Christian" government, and how the Right's hypocrisy gives the lie to those words.
"My fellow Representatives (or Senators, I'm easy),
I have a serious question for my Republican colleagues, and the rest of those who insist that the United States was founded in Biblical principles and is a Christian nation.
According to the Bible in my hand, in Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 34-40, Jesus said the following:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Are these words "Biblical principles"? Are they part of what a "Christian" nation should follow? If so, I would very much like to know why:
The Right is against social programs such as food stamps, low-income housing, or help for the homeless. Are we not to feed the hungry? Clothe the naked? Shelter the homeless?
Why is the Right against healthcare reform, when it is stated right here that we are to care for the sick. Period. Nowhere do I see "as long as insurance companies can turn a profit off the sick."
Why is the Right against programs to prevent rescidivism, so that our prisons can turn out good citizens, instead of more criminals? Isn't that part of "visiting" those in prison?
I'm sure I will get all kinds of answers, mostly justifying things for which there is no justification if you believe in the scriptures I have just read.
I tell you now, every time you vote against legislation that is aimed at feeding hungry people, you betray those Biblical principles you say this country was founded on. Everytime you vote against legislation that would help the homeless or those in prison, you betray those Biblical principles.
And everytime you vote against healthcare reform, so that thousands more people die from lack of insurance and access to medical care, you betray those Biblical principles.
Prove to me that Biblical principles actually mean something by following the words in your own holy book, spoken by the one the Christian Right claims to follow. Vote "yes" on legislation that helps people to eat, to have shelter, to stay out of prison, and to NOT DIE FROM LACK OF INSURANCE.
Otherwise, you are, as Shakespeare said, 'full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.'"
Sigh. A girl can dream, can't she?