Are you kidding me!!!?????

The Washington Post ran a story today on the provision struck from the House health bill that would require insurance companies to reimburse the expense for having someone pray for them. They interviewed a Christion Scientist (an oxymoron if there ever was one) who charges $20 - $40 to pray for someone who is ill or injured. The provision in the health plan was removed from the House bill but will likely be slipped into the Senate version.

Explain to me how a bunch of morons can demand that the health bill restrict reimbursement for abortions, but include a requirement to reimburse for prayer? Have I fallen into an alternate universe? Has the entire world gone insane? This continues the erosion of intelligence in America along with the recent flap over use of evidence-based medicine recommending changes in the frequency of mammograms. Looks like we will fall into the medieval world of spells, incantations, and hunches to treat illnesses rather than sound, scientific evidence. People would rather waste their tax dollars on hoaxes and snake oil rather than admit that just because you want something to be so, doesn't make it so. Sometimes, there is no easy answer to a problem. Shit does happen. People die. It's inevitable. Praying to imaginary spirits won't save you from that.

I only hope that should I ever end up in the hospital for something serious, I won't be faced with having to select from a choice of prayer, bleeding, or exorcism since insurance won't cover a real doctor because they discriminate against religion. If that ever happens, just take me out back and shoot me.

This is a good reason to stop faith-based government services

The Washington Post reported today that the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has threatened to pull out of running social service programs for the District if the DC Council goes ahead with a same-sex marriage law. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/11/AR2009111116943.html

Apparently the District is giving the Catholic Church funds to support service programs it offers. So, now we have the Catholic Church dictating what the citizens of the District should believe and how they should live. This is what happens when the Government allows religion to become part of the Government, as in delivering services that should be provided by the secular government.

Can we be any more stupid than allowing a religious organization to dictate how our government should be run? This may sound innocent on the surface. All they are doing is providing social services funded by the District. However, they get to decide to whom to provide the services and whom gets to work for them. If you don't fit their model for beliefs and profession of faith, you don't get services or work. Is that how our tax dollars should be spent?

What next, soup kitchens only for those who profess a belief in their deity? Jobs only for Catholics?

So, if they oppose GLBT rights, shouldn't they dismiss the priests who have been living "alternative lifestyles". Surely they don't believe there are no gay priests? It's OK to be hypocritical if it's for Jesus? If you "don't ask, don't tell", then is it OK? Seriously, who are they fooling?

That's just the Catholic Church. Don't forget the many Protestant denominations, Islamic sects, Jewish sects, and thousands of other relgions. How does the Government decide which one's tenets should be accepted so as not to offend them in our civil laws and government? It can't be done. That's why we have separation of Church and State!

New Health Care Plan to restrict abortion. Religion sticking its nose in private matters..

The latest from Congress has the Health Care bill moving through the House with an amendment to prevent the use of funds to cover abortion services -- even when the woman is not using Government subsidies to pay for her insurance! If people believe abortion is against their religious views, that's fine. Don't have abortions. However, when you decide what my beliefs are for me, you've crossed the line.

Teach your own children about birth control, and they might not need abortions. This is going too far in controlling what people can do with their own bodies. A fertilized egg is not a person. It won't be a person for a long time. If you try to throw in the ridiculous belief that a "soul" is placed in the zygote by some fairy in the sky, you are really going beyond your beliefs and trampling my personal life and beliefs.

Now, for the spineless idiots elected as our leaders, how can you walk away from a core principle most were elected to support -- the respect for individual freedoms? The Health Care bill is bad enough, but now you have to gum it up with religious nonsense? It's amazing how people can take such a simple idea as universal health care and turn it into a universal goat rope! There are so many conditions, exceptions, and exclusions in the proposed plan that they make it even worse than what it is replacing. There is so much baggage attached that the cost of the program is going to skyrocket just to oversee all of the rules!

I believe that in today's world universal health care is an obligation any civilized society owes its citizens. We have moved beyond the premise that health care is an option. Just as we provide for the common defense, public education, and protection of free speech, we now much realize that universal health care is a necessary part of our society. Without adequate health care for all, we will have to deal with the many problems that result, draining our abilities to pursue the improvement of our lives and defend our freedoms.

At this point, it looks like the opponents of universal health care and health insurance reform are going to win. A bill with such a serious flaw as the abortion restrictions is not worth passing.

First Thoughts

Just to get this blog started, I think I'll put down some initial thoughts. I plan to elaborate on these and many other things as time goes by. I just need to get the writing started.

Here goes ...

Lets start with some politics. I'm always amused at how politics seems to always drag religion into the mix of human emotions, needs, and problems. It's like throwing gasoline on the fire. Once religion is introduced, rational thought is out the window. Ever try to solve a problem by hoping it goes away or solves itself? That's a lot like applying religious beliefs and assumptions to dealing with real life issues of helping to manage a civilization. It just doesn't work.

And yes, I said "managing a civilization", because that is what politics is all about. Even the tiniest local jurisdiction that has a governing organization plays a part in the overall development of national and international life. Politics is important in making the machinery of societies function. It oils the gears and helps to make progress (whatever that may be). Religion has been used by astute rulers and politicians to nudge the population in certain directions, taking advantage of the tendency of believers to be credulous, accepting without question the dictates of authority.

So, what do I think about politics today? More in upcoming posts.