One Fail for Medi-cal

I'm really frustrated right now. Actually, that doesn't come close to how I feel. I'm sad, disappointed in my country, and angry. A woman whom I know needs hip surgery- so that she can take care of her children and have a job. She receives Medi-cal. She's been waiting for months to get permission for the surgery. Until then, she's supposed to be on her feet as little as possible, but as a widow with young children, this isn't feasible. She was recently informed that her consultation has finally been set... for November, 2011. It is currently August, 2010, so she only has to wait 15 months. The consultation will plan out the actual surgery, which, she has been told, she will have some time in 2012.
What kind of world do we live in? Isn't there anything we can do? If I were the one needing hip surgery, I'd be going in to ER regularly, just to make it as inconvenient for the hospital and for Medi-cal as possible with the hopes that they'd schedule it sooner. But she still has kids to take care of, so that would be rather hard... And even if she gets the help she needs, the system is still putting others through this same horrendous situation. How do we change this system?

Pro-Life

For anyone who's been following my blogs, I know that I come across as very left wing, and in many if not most ways, I am. But I am pro-life in every sense of the term. I am against the death penalty, I am anti-war (though there have been some that were necessary), anti-suicide,and anti-abortion. I am even glad my dog died before my parents had him put to sleep. I value life, and don't believe that humans should control it.
For anyone who does not believe in God, I don't have a moral argument. But for those of us who believe the Bible, God says he is the one who created us. I remember a time when I was about 15, when I was reading the book of Isaiah...
That was probably the worst year of my life. I felt like no-one knew me for who I was. I would get in trouble for fighting, when I was just trying to get away. I was accused many times of lying, or faking sick, or things that were in some way against my sense of integrity, and that caused me to feel absolutely invisible. I got to thinking that I might as well be dead, and that "If I weren't a Christian, maybe I'd kill myself." I don't think I ever would have; I knew my Mom would be devastated, plus the line between thinking about it, and carrying it out is pretty thick. But it was still in my mind on a regular basis.
Also at that time, I turned to reading the Bible. I felt like God was my only real friend, so I made it a point to focus on that. When I got to the book of Isaiah, I read, "I knitted you in the womb." For years afterwards, I remembered "I knitted you in the womb; do not do anything to change that." I quoted this a million times, but it's not said like that. I looked for it a few months ago. It's not there. I believe it was God speaking to me, that caused me to be so certain of that statement.
In that sense, it was relating to suicide, and it was meant for me. But I believe it applies to everyone, and outside of that box. Life is sacred. The Bible does say, "I knitted you in the womb," and by that part alone, it follows, that we should not disregard it. If God made us, he can unmake us. If God made us, then we should not take over, deciding when to destroy his creation. Whether it involves a fetus, an elderly person, or any other person, we should not try to take control of the existence of any human being- ourselves, or anyone else.

Separating the Bible from God's Commands

I am officially going crazy! I was in Bible Study tonight, and afterwards, someone decided to read off something they saw online. Some sort of "divorce agreement" regarding divorcing the politically left. In it, the person wrote something to the effect of, "you can keep the homeless, and the hippies and illegal aliens..." "we'll keep walmart.." "we'll keep the Bibles, you can have NBC..."

I forgot to be open-minded like I normally am (or try to be), and left the room. I couldn't take it! What?!!!! you want to pawn homeless people off on us, and think you are keeping the Bible? Jesus admonished those who looked down on the poor. What happened to the Beattitudes? What happened to the Widow's mite? What happened to the Good Samaritan? What happened to God's command to be kind to the aliens among you, for you were once aliens in Egypt? What happened to everything that Christ preaches?!!!! You have already pushed away the Bible!

But DO NOT! imply that it is an unChristian thing to value helping others above personal wealth!

OTHER THOUGHTS ("B-ROLL"):
1) So I guess we're also keeping the developmentally disabled, and kids who are traumatized by abuse. But what happens when a wealthy republican beats his children? Or how do you handle a 25 year old who grew up in your society, but starts to show signs of schizophrenia? Do you send them over to us now because you don't have the social structure to handle it? In mass, we have the ability to make a difference, but when you say, (paraphrase) "you keep the problems," that makes the ratios of problems (issues, not people) go up, and no one is helped. If there is no public assistance, you ignore the problem, and the result is: you'll have more people wandering around, peeing on your sidewalks because you don't provide any assistance. I don't believe that handouts are anything more than a bandaid on a broken leg, but I do believe in a hand up.

2) I don't know about taking too high a percentage of taxes from anyone without their consent. Personally, I consent to taxes if it will help our fellow human beings... and as long as my own needs are met... and as long as you aren't giving them more (with my money) than I can afford for myself. Because I consent, I naturally expect others to as well.

3) Yes, you can keep Walmart, which has a goal of 30% of marketshare worldwide, and only stops at that to prevent problems with monopoly laws (but your society will abolish that law, and then it will change it's goals to a higher percentage). Walmart, the company that avoids full-time positions and medical coverage. And Walmart, the company that fires people who try to start unions, which whether you like unions or not, is illegal [and the Bible does say to obey the laws of your land (except when it goes against God, like in Daniel)].... But may I ask, which of your people will chose to work there?

4) Yes I know that not all politically "right" people are indifferent to helping others, but this writer apparently is, if he/she can make these comments.

5) Now that I found your blog online: So you're an American law student. And I'm an American MBA student. We both apparently value education, but you think yours is enough to back your value-system over ours. From my perspective, half of what you want to keep... you're right; we are so different that there won't be much of a legal battle. I cannot imagine wanting it. But do you really suppose that we don't want police? What school teaches that?

6) But all-in-all, if you didn't bring God into it, I would have chalked it up to politics, and left it alone. You, however, imply that we would not want the Bible! How dare you make such an asinine assumption about an entire political spectrum of people!

7) Okay, I still don't feel better. I need to climb to the top of Razor's Edge (my favorite hiking spot), and scream!

Homosexuality

How come people treat people who are homosexual as worse than anyone else? Why are we so afraid of it? The Bible says that a man should not lie with another man, as with a woman. And it adds, "For the Lord detests these things." But I ernestly believe that the latter statement was referring to the entire section, which was about a variety of sexual behaviors. We all know people, are friends with people, and may even be people who have sinned sexually, one way or another, and yet we treat homosexuality as the worst crime. Most people lust- usually after the opposite sex, and the Bible says that this itself is a sin. But we treat this as normal humaness, while we treat homosexuals, who lust after the same sex, as evil. And gross, disgusting, etc.

We are hypocrites. I don't see a difference. Sexual sin is sexual sin. We all sin; even if we don't lust, we sin some other way. But it's easy to attack the sin that's far from ourselves.

We do a diservice when we separate them from us so completely. Who's going to listen to us preach, "You are evil!?" Their response is that we are hateful, afraid, judgemental. There's no room left to listen because we force them into the defensive.

The truth is, the Bible says that it is wrong to live a homosexual lifestyle. If you believe the Bible, it's fair to agree that the action is wrong. But in the same breath, you must agree that it is wrong to sleep with someone's spouse. It is wrong to sleep around. It is wrong to sleep with people you aren't married to in general. And it is even wrong to fantacize about it.

That said, how many of us can accuse without being accused?

But many of us treat homosexuals with hate and disgust - even those who choose not to live a homosexual lifestyle. We use "gay" as a derogatory phrase, attacking our own friends who are afraid to say that they feel this way themselves- especially now that they see how we feel about it.

And we treat people who are gay as "gays." That becomes their identity. But my identity is not my sexuality, so why should they be defined by their sexuality. I doubt that gay people think more about sex than the average heterosexual. What about the rest of who they are?

My friend, Brian... supposedly, he's gay. I've never asked him. But everyone else "knows" it. I've never talked about sexual issues with him, however, so I wouldn't know. And that is because gay or not, he also has hobbies, political ideas, etc, that are more relevant to our friendship.

Those of us who believe the Bible need to stop attacking these people. This does not mean that you should ignore behavior that you believe is wrong. If you know someone is doing something wrong, and you care about them, you should find a way to confront it. But if you care about them, you can find a caring way to confront it. And ultimately, if the individual does not accept your source of reasoning (ie: the Bible says so), then using the source holds no value. First, you must prove the source, before you use it in reference. And anyone that you would chose to confront in their actions must be welcome to confront you in your faults, because we all certainly have them.

Spiritual Parasites

I've been hearing people recently, saying things along the lines of, "There's 2 kinds of people: people who are spiritual parasites, and people who are spiritual givers. In other words, you come to church to get fed (metaphorically) by God's word and by good music, and by "loading your troubles" on others, or you come to church to to be a blessing to the church.

I hate this concept. First off, wanting to "get fed" -to learn about God, what others understand about God, and to want to be filled with a peace that you have been having a hard time feeling all week, but know you can feel at church, that is NOT a negative thing! Many people spend all week stressing and exhausting themselves. It's not healthy, but they do. Sunday is what they live for. Going to church. No other obligations. Just getting there, and letting God do the rest. And no one comes to "load troubles." But they may come to seek help. After all, if you don't have anyone at church to share your troubles with; to ask for prayer from, then there may be no one.

The statement about spiritual parasites is judgemental. Everyone lives a different life. Everyone has different struggles and different ways of coping with struggles. Hypothetically speaking, if I spend six days a week giving to the world around me, solving peoples' problems, showing love, encouraging others, etc., then I should be able to rely on coming to church on Sunday, and focusing solely on listening to God. If I feel led by God to do so, I should be able to sit on a pew and read my Bible without feeling judged by laymen for not walking around and greeting newcomers. And I should know that the people in the church are there for me. There is nothing like feeling like absolutely no one in the world understands or wants to understand you- not even at church.

I should not feel obligated by people in the church, to help out with Sunday School or behind-the-scenes work. It's between myself and God. Personally, I LOVE helping the church. I work with the teens, and I'm learning how to walk around, talking to people I don't know. But I also know what it is to be emotionally zapped. I know what it's like to get to church- my only refuge, and feel like all I want to do is sit in the pew and pray or read my Bible. People don't come to be judged for not giving more. If they can't give, and only take, that should be recognized as a need.

It's like the story of Mary and Martha. One sister cleaned, the other sat and listened to Jesus. The one who was cleaning, complained that the other wasn't helping, but Jesus said that she was doing what she was supposed to be doing.

But I've heard people complain about people who come to church to be "fed" spiritually, and especially, about people who share their troubles. These people complain that it's distressing to always have to listen to other peoples' troubles. But if listening to them is depressing you because all they talk about is how hard life is, it's because they are overwhelmed. If it's hard for you to hear it, how hard must it be for them to live it? Come on! Don't judge them; Encourage them!

Eventually, if you give to them, they will be able to overcome their struggles, and perhaps then, they can "give" to others. Or perhaps what you learn through their depressing talk or through your own positive reaction tho them is something you need to learn, and is in effect, an important lesson from God, even a gift from God, through them, to you. NO ONE should be defined a "spiritual parasite." In truth, the concept is conceited. Honestly. And I'm sorry if that offends you, but I'm saying it anyway. We can learn or gain something from everyone. Stop judging, and encourage them. Encourage them through their trials, and encourage them to find strength in becoming more involved, if you feel so led. But encourage them!

Who Wants to Start a Summer Camp?

I am seeking a treasurer and/or secretary to work with me on running a non-profit organization for youth. I have no money yet, so this is a volunteer position for now. As we raise money, however, it will become a paid position. I am incorporating a non-profit organization that will serve youth and their families through day events, and as the funding comes in, through an after-school program and a summer camp that specializes in outdoor adventures and community service. This organization will reach out to all youth, but will have an emphasis on serving emotionally disturbed teens and pre-teens. A big part of this non-profits' belief system is that in the end, nothing is meaningful without God/Jesus... thus, the staff/leadership need to value Jesus' teachings, and be glad to live by Christ's example. At the same time, this organization will be open to all youth regardless of religion, and will not pressure/coerce/or force anyone to participate in any religious activities. If you are interested in working on this project, acknowledging that it will take dedication to make it work, please e-mail me.

Capitalist vs Social Capitalist

We say that we are a capitalistic society. This is not completely true. I once had a teacher who explained that a capitalistic society would have no welfare, no medicare, and no financial aid for college. I'll add, there would be no free lunch program, no animal shelters, no psychologists for people with low income, no group homes for the developmentally disabled. And Walmart would be allowed to take over the country. Basically, all those things that help our society survive would not be there. Our country is Social Capitalistic. We have services that aid people who need it. We also encourage big business, but with a limit. And we allow people to climb an economic ladder (ideally).
Some people, as well as an online survey that I took, say that I am a socialist. Given a choice between capitalist and socialist, I'd agree. But I do like the concept of social capitalism. If I ran the country, which I never will, I would be much more on the social side of the term, than we are. Who was the president who instituted a guaranteed work program, and improved the national parks system? That sounds like good leadership. But I wouldn't say that there has to be absolute economic equality. Some people do work harder than others. But some people get the poor side of everything no matter how hard they try. So everyone should have their basic needs met: socially, economically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But from there, that's when capitalism should be allowed to become part of the mix.
-My Opinion Only
update: keep in mind that this was pre-Obama... I doubt I'd be more social than what he's doing.