GM,

How do you reconcile your demand for what appears to be old fashioned rugged individualism with your adherence to Christianity and its explicit instruction to tend to those who are less well off? As an example: "...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."

Private charity is not going to do it, it takes government funding.

Believe me, I don't want a society that discourages individual responsibility, I understand "moral hazard" and acknowledge that some social programs, however well-intentioned, clearly fostered dependency, but a balance has to be struck. I think a safety net is essential in a just, compassionate society and healthcare is an integral part of it.

In a recent post that you may not have seen, I questioned the hypocrisy of those on the religious right for not demanding health care for all. What could be possibly more Christ-like than that?

Peter T.