Health Care, in Today's News 03.25.10

Health Care.  The Church leaders got exactly the change they had been crying about in the Obama-care legislation. They therefore look pretty silly now complaining that the legislation is flawed.

The Church leaders, for months, have given the impression that the legislation would be okay if funding for abortion was omitted. The Cryptocracy, not being stupid, realized they could use the Church's stance to get the legislation passed. All that was need was some parliamentary maneuver to give the impression of no funding for abortion. And thus the impression would be given that the Church would think the legislation is okay. And thus they utilized Michigan's Stupak to pull it off with an executive order banning funding (which can easily be reversed or even ignored).

The Church leaders were maneuvered right out of their pants. They were left with not much to say except to whine that the legislation was flawed. That complaint was probably worth a few laughs in the inner sanctums of health-care planners. 

All this could have been avoided if the Church leaders had not overlooked a few key points. Ignored was the overall issue of the legislation establishing a nationalized, bureaucratic, cost-cutting, profile driven method of health care. Ignored was the fact that the Church's creation - compassionate health care - was being submerged in a de-humanized system. Ignored was the overwhelming opinion of the American public that this legislation stinks.

And so, the Church leaders set themselves up for the Stupak-type maneuver. 

This story is a disgrace. Not only did the Church leaders fail to defend one of the great legacies of the Church, through their inept attempt to influence the legislation they also ended up bearing the central responsibility for the adoption of this law that will adversely affect the faithful and all Americans.

There are something like 65 million Catholics in the United States, all of whom would follow the lead of the leaders of the Church and Catholic organizations. Properly educated and organized, the Catholic faithful could (and should) have stopped the health-care attack.

The Church leaders' lack of back-bone and their failure to even understand what was at stake spells big trouble for the Church in coming times. Prayers are needed.