The pope understands what’s important
The Catholic Church must apply words from more than 2,000 years ago to life today. Not everyone agrees with the interpretations. Politicians employ a document from more than 200 years ago, in much the same way.
Earlier this month Pope Francis reminded the world that more than 2,000 years of interpreting found a myriad of complex issues that face all. He clarified that gay people and women’s bodies are not the only issues facing the church. Time to stop alienating members by having only two issues.
His words are hailed as enlightened. Our federal lawmakers and the Illinois government have only one issue each. The feds have “Obamacare,” and Springfield has the teachers pensions. Health care for all in America is not a bad idea — unless you are a GOP congressman. Paying the teachers, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, etc., is not a bad idea; unless you have stolen the money. Gay people are here to stay. Women have rights. The pope gets it.
Everyone has the right to be equal and receive health care. (We oppose capital punishment by injection but do not care if one dies because they cannot afford a doctor?) Public servants have the right to be paid for doing their jobs. (The constitutional law/promise is part of that pay.)
Get off the treadmill! An exponential number of ideas to generate revenue and cut expenses in Illinois have been suggested to Springfield. Health care and education touch every American. If these issues, like alternative lifestyles and women’s bodies, are here to stay, then fund them. Time to use religion for more than just a plank to get a vote. Listen to the pope. The pope gets it.
Alan P. Murdoch
Arlington Heights