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First the Socialists...Now it's Grandma's Turn...Is she willing to die of COVID- 19 for the U.S. economy?

                                                                  Hard Truths
Oh, No...Not Grandma! Too late...She's Next!

 Just when we think it can't possibly get more amoral in American politics, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick puts it out there that seniors like himself would be "willing to take a chance on their survival (from COVID)" if it will keep the U.S. economy going amidst the pandemic. He would be, he says. His President wonders aloud if the "cure" (temporary business shutdowns) is worse than the disease.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-says-grandparents-are-willing-to-die-to-save-economy-for-their-grandkids-2020-03-23

 And the Evangelical Christian Right, so ready to skewer 'liberals' for their immorality says? Nothing.

Compare Patrick's perverted suggestion with my February 19 Hard Truths. Here's an excerpt:

 ...So then, in the search for solutions, someone in power asks: "Should we expand the net of those we are building walls against to include those from countries that criticize us?" "Should we force everyone past 60 to hand their jobs over to a younger person?" Then it gets deadly: "Are we spending too much on the elderly sick?Aren't we better off using those funds for people who contribute to the economy?" 

“Wait a minute”, one says. “This is hitting close to home. You're talking about Grandma here…my Nana. And yes, I was born here, but I still have relatives over in Scotland/Denmark/Australia. They can’t do that!” Yes they can. Don't you remember, they did it to gays and Blacks and transgender people and, and, and...!

In the deadly conflation of religion and politics today it has become popular to believe that “if we just outlaw/eject/give permission to target them, our country will be great again. We will have a nice, God-blessed, peaceful state”. It’s such an appealing lie, many—including some Christians—have fallen for it and are voting accordingly.

But a question for the thoughtful: if all it takes to roll back or deny the human rights of people deemed objectionable, is to for example stack the High Courts with those prepared to roll back these rights, how long will it take for a Court to rule that given Grandma’s condition, to save money a hospital has the right to withhold further treatment from her? How long before our precious child or grandchild with a disability becomes a burden to the state?..."

 If you can, take a deep breath and read John Pavlovitz's latest blog https://johnpavlovitz.com/2020/03/24/their-money-or-your-life-the-fraudulence-of-pro-life-christian-capitalism/

You know by now that I take my cues from Jesus' teachings, not from today's weird, twisted conflation of religion and politics masquerading in his name. If you are wondering about these ideas that are floating unchallenged by those who claim to be society's moral compass, ask yourself from what you know or heard, "What Would Jesus Do?"

To end with a probably tired but oh so apt phrase, Stay woke!

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