As candidate Barack Obama was running for president a year ago, I heard him asking us to get in the game. For too long, terribly privileged interests have set the agenda for public policy. It was time for the rest of us - people of conscience and goodwill - to get involved.
My faith tradition insists that we are measured by our compassion toward the least, toward the most vulnerable. It's really that simple. We're not judged according to our bank accounts, our awards, our children's successes or our advanced degrees. We're judged, as a nation, by how well we take care of the poor and the young and the elderly and the stranger. If there's any wisdom to that tradition, the health care debate in Congress will put a yardstick to America's soul.
For these reasons, I'm grateful for the way my church has stepped up here in California, on the Central Coast. As part of an interfaith organizing effort, we're taking an active part in communicating our values to members of Congress. We're insisting that they take people of faith - progressive people of faith - just a seriously as the wealthy interests in pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry.
Check out yet another witty, pushy commercial - another chance to dig deep and make sure this reform happens for the good of all. We are NOT powerless. We can BE the change we wish to see in the world, as Gandhi used to say.
And again, go to 100K for Health Care! to sign a United Church of Christ petition. Let's do it this time!
