In Theory:Health care reform unconstitutional?

Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican president before he was a Bull Mose candidate, if my memory of history is correct, wanted a health care plan as early as 1912. When FDR brought in Social Security in the 1930s, he also wanted health care but wasn’t able to bring it about. (Social Security, by the way, is a very popular government service. Do you know any Social Security recipient who is sorry to be receiving a Social Security check? No, me neither.)

When Medicare and Medicaid came about under Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s, there was much opposition. But now those programs are among the most popular that the government has. Some on the right side of the political spectrum are threatening to repeal the health care plan, but I’m guessing they aren’t going to be able to do it. Some are also going to try to have it declared unconstitutional; they also will lose, I believe.

Congratulations, America! We have joined the other enlightened nations of the Western world, and it was high time! — The REV. CLIFFORD L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN is permanent pastor of La Cañada Congregational Church. Reach him at (818) 790-1185.

The Rev. Bryan Griem: I object to abortions inclusion in the health bill for two reasons, and one is certainly the subject of the question.

As a Christian, I'm appalled that our nation makes legal the optional killing of preborn infants, leaving the choice to their would-be mothers. Arguments about a woman's right to choose what to do with their own bodies get raised, but the right to choose to live is never afforded the children that get dissected and discarded. Who would choose to have themselves killed for anothers convenience?

It's morally offensive to those of us who recognize God's sole prerogative over life, and to anyone intellectually honest about abortion procedures, it can only be perceived as a barbaric evil. Yet all the bleeding hearts cater to the sinful whims of interest groups, and morality gets redefined.

As for reform exemptions, why should the government determine which religious convictions are compelling enough for inclusion in the list? Either make no exceptions, or allow for universal religious choice.

Besides the ethics of forced participation in funding the sacrilege of fetuscide, there's the fact that abortion is a purely elective procedure. Does universal healthcare include expenses for things unnecessary to one's healthful survival like cosmetic surgery? Then neither should it include covering the consequence of sexual promiscuity. Pregnant people are not sick; they may only feel inconvenienced by their offspring.

People should pay for their own choices, and I believe the first poor choice should void any right to a second. I don't want to pay for you to kill a child, and we would all prefer you keep your legs closed, but if it's going to be, it's your responsibility.

Now, if hardship is your circumstance, then help is available. My church will be participating with the Glendale Walk For Life this coming May 8 to raise money for just such a need. Join us. — The REV. BRYAN GRIEM is pastor of Montrose Community Church. Reach him at (818) 249-0483.