The False Gospel of the GOP

For a political party that claims to be the champion of family values and intense supporter of Christianity - and therefore, one would assume of the Gospel message - the Republican Party has a strange and perverted version of the Gospel. Christ spoke of assisting the sick, the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the less fortunate, yet these are the very people that Republicans hold in active contempt. Indeed, given their option, the Republicans would do away with all social programs that support those whom the Gospel directs be taken care of. And instead, the GOP aligns itself with those who are either immensely wealthy or who act as the Pharisees so roundly condemned by Christ. The disingenuousness and hypocrisy is absolutely shocking, yet too often the media fails to call out the falsely pious and make them explain their utterly perverted approach to the religion they claim to worship. A column in the Washington Post asks the question: In a time of economic turmoil and record poverty levels, are tax cuts for the wealthy moral? Obviously, the answer in my view is no, it's not moral. But it is fully in keeping with a religious tradition now largely known for its contempt - if not open hatred - of others rather than its love and acts of compassion. Here are some column highlights:
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Some politicians argue that religious values should be reflected in the public square. Should this faith-based view of politics be applied to the economy? Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
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Are tax cuts for the rich immoral? Not always. Certainly, when the government enjoys a big surplus, having captured more of taxpayers' dollars than it needs to pay its bills, an across-the-board tax cut to all Americans is one of the best, and most morally justifiable, public policy options.
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When the country's facing a big deficit, however, as we are today, it's a different story. That's when difficult choices have to be made. And that's when one's faith, it seems to me, must come into play.
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For Christians, especially, the message is clear. Read the New Testament. Jesus paid special attention to the poor and expected his followers to do the same - even to the point of shedding all their worldly possessions to help the poor. That same theme of helping the less fortunate permeates both the Old Testament and the Quran.
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In light of that clear moral imperative, those who would burden our grandchildren with paying for tax cuts for today's millionaires - or demand tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans as a price for helping the poor and unemployed - either ignore the teachings of their faith or are deliberately throwing faith and morality out the window.