Health-Care Reform and the Golden Rule

Two reflections on our first African American president's first twelve months. Featuring remarks from Glenn C. Loury and R. Drew Smith.

Perhaps Harry Reid's words were a bit outdated, but he told the truth. Unfortunately, it's virtually impossible to speak honestly about race in America today without offending some, or giving others ammunition to take you down.

A year after Barack Obama's historic election, his progress report is incomplete at best. But his presence in the White House has already brought long overdue healing to the African American imagination -- and potentially to many others.

Among other controversies, the health-care debate has shined a light on the different ways that African Americans and European Americans think about government in the lives of people.

Derrion Albert did not die because of a lack of jobs or social programs. He died because we expect more righteousness and leadership from our government and civil institutions than we do from each other.

I can't read the guy's mind, of course, but after the initial, natural response of "Yeah, I got it goin' on," I'm thinking this is what President Obama must've really been thinking upon hearing that he'd won the Nobel Peace Prize:

In this third and final installment of Todd Burkes's series on the thorny political, racial, and cultural issues surrounding the health-care debate, the author dives headlong into his most controversial question yet:

Why is "socialism" such a dirty word in America? Is it really that evil?

This is a developing thought process for me, so please hear me out for a moment. In the heat of the current battle over health-care reform in America, it does seem inevitable to many of us that the federal government will continue to grow.

I don't think there is an example of a democracy that has "un-done" growth. After all, it is the nature of a living thing to want to grow. This, of course, is at the heart of our nation's present debate. How much of a role should government play in our lives? The conservatives classify big government as "doomsday coming" and proof of societal decline. The liberals, on the other hand, see the expansion of federal programs as a fulfillment of the government's obligation to its people. But here is another take ...

A HEALTH-CARE FORUM: 16 Christian leaders talk faith, policy, justice, and reform. Featuring Harry R. Jackson Jr., Jim Wallis, Alveda King, Brian McLaren, Barbara Williams-Skinner, Noel Castellanos, Chandra White-Cummings, Lisa Sharon Harper, and more.

One might find it strange that a guy who spends his time writing and speaking about reconciliation is sticking his neck out on the volatile issue of health-care reform. The attitude of a reconciler, a peacemaker, would seem to be at odds with that of someone who is outspoken about political issues. But the more I understand reconciliation, especially the biblical principles behind the idea, the more I find myself unable to keep my opinions to myself.

In the end, I am not as concerned about whether health-care reform passes or fails as I am with how people who represent Christ to the world are thinking through and communicating what they believe.