The US Could Become a Christian Nation!

During the recent Healthcare Reform debate, many who opposed the federal legislation referred to their own circumstance as reason for their opposition:  They include healthcare insurance among their budgeted items and made sure to provide for adequate coverage.  They do not go crying to the federal government for help to meet their healthcare needs.  Importantly, they do not see why they should have to pay higher premiums and costs for healthcare services so as to cover those who have little financial means for their own healthcare needs.  Further, several opponents to healthcare reform have described most of those who must rely upon the government as slothful, lazy miscreants desirous to take advantage of other people's goodwill!

Their argument has changed as healthcare costs have risen.  Particularly, the passage of healthcare reform found the middle class initially in support of the legislation.  With the thought in mind that the federal government would lover costs legislation were passed in the medical field, they sympathized with the lower class, until they found out that the government was not really intending to HC lower costs, merely slow down its increases.

Today, there's widespread endorsement of the opponent's claim that the Constitution in no way acknowledges a right of an individual to healthcare services, i.e., does not recognize universal healthcare of the citizenry.  Nor may individuals be forced to participate in some healthcare plan for the sake of their own well-being, they aver.

Nevertheless, many opponents contend this is a Christian nation, though no acknowledgement of this proposition exists in legislative documents nor in the Constitution.  Citing acts of US charity and philanthropy, e.g., in times of disaster abroad and at time, they argue that the US stands for Christian ideals and precepts. Some cynics counter-argue that the US federal government acts charitably only when it suits them.  They contend that there is usually some natural resource the US companies want to tap into that comes into play in considering which country to aid, e.g., natural gas in Haiti; oil in Iraq.  And they point to instances where the US has backed away from assisting: the South Sudanese revolt; the Rwanda human travesty. 

I think we should become clear to what guiding Christian principle is involved in determining whether or not the United States should be considered a Christian nation.  I contend the precept is the Golden Rule:  Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

It seems this precept is motivating in the work of the United Nations.  In any case, if adversaries and proponents of Healthcare Reform alike would bring into the debate a desire to make the US into a Christian nation, there could be forthcoming a Christian-based foundation in all areas of  US governmental policies, wherein the Golden Rule becomes a guiding light.