Health care debate must be moral issue

Poverty is caused mostly by social factors beyond an individual's control. The government institutionalizes poverty. Institutions and norms are key causes of the formation and persistence of poverty.

Our "market" thrives on the backs of the poor and the hard workers. Because of this, it is necessary to strive for change at the government level. The government works at preserving its members' interests and access to wealth, while framing it in a context that makes the labor class believe they identify. No one is better at this than the Republicans, though the left in this country is just as guilty.

It is our job to force the government's hand to even out the playing field for the poor, since they cannot rely solely on the charity of the few. The acceptance of the status quo and belief that there is "enough done" for the poor in this country is insulting. There is a need for greater advocacy on the behalf of the marginalized. All too often their voices are silenced and dismissed.

Living in "good health" is a major plight of the poor. One person dying because of lack of access to quality health care is too many in a nation as rich as ours.

The Bible states in Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

The health care debate should be a moral issue. It has been wrongly politicized and discussed through polarities, some of us have allowed ourselves to fall into this political trap of rhetoric and propaganda when the nation should come together and demand quality health for all of its inhabitants - poor, undocumented, middle class, old, young, everyone.

Jason Kupisch

Cary