John McCain’s Republican Religion of Greed

The hypocrisy of those who’ve been materially blessed and that object to giving back a little more to a country they claim to love, while professing to be "Christian," is maddening. In Luke 6:38, did not Jesus teach to "Give, and it shall be given unto you?"

[Election 2008]

Was Christ a socialist?

Apparently, if you follow the reasoning of Senator John McCain and his Republican reprobates who demean Senator Barack Obama’s tax proposals to help America’s middle and low-income classes.

Ever since, Senator Obama unveiled his plan to modestly raise taxes on those making over a quarter million dollars, the pseudo-patriots who like to brow beat us with their superficial, flag-waving, lapel-wearing brand of “patriotism” have labeled Obama a “socialist.” The hypocrisy of those who’ve been materially blessed and that object to giving back a little more to a country they claim to love, while professing to be “Christian,” is maddening. In Luke 6:38, did not Jesus teach to “Give, and it shall be given unto you?”

Senator Joe Biden was roundly attacked, as idiotic, for saying that paying taxes is “patriotic.” Biden’s point was that those who’ve reaped most of the fruits of the country should consider it their duty to give a little more back to help those less fortunate, especially during this financial and economic crisis. How’s he wrong? Aren’t we supposed to be our “brother’s keeper?” America’s richest 10 percent own 75 percent of the country’s wealth.

In recent weeks, Senator McCain and Governor Palin have repeatedly accused Senator Obama of wanting to “spread the wealth around.” You’d think giving’s a disease. Question: don’t Republicans and their so-called “Christian” congregation realize giving is at the heart of Jesus’ message and ministry? In Acts 20:35, Apostle Paul said: “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Republicans only promote receiving. Theirs is the selfish creed.

Make no mistake about it; greed is the sin that’s brought financial chaos and poverty to this country. What else led to the hoarding on Wall Street? Why are there 13-15 million children living below, the very conservative, federal poverty line? With the explosion of foreclosures, how many more people will be added to the 3.5 million who experience homelessness every year, including 1.3 million children? Don’t these, supposedly, god-fearing folks regard it as their civic, Christian duty to serve the needy?

How dare these false prophets give us lip-service about Christian virtues while their greed creates more poverty and misery? In Luke 12:15-17 Jesus said “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” However, in America we’ve been brainwashed into believing the worth of people, and “success,” are to be defined by accumulated materialism.

For years, the Democrats have conceded the “religious vote” to Republicans. I’ve always seen that as a missed opportunity to defrock the hypocrisy of the GOP, and the religious hustlers who fornicate with them.

Senator McCain’s Camp is trying to label Senator Obama a “Marxist.” The scri ptures tell us, in 1Timothy 6:17-18, to “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches…That they do good works, ready to distribute.” Acts 4:34-35 tells us “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands and houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according to his need.” So, is Christianity a Marxist religion?

Often, when “God Bless America” plays, I cringe. Does a nation that worships materialism, while ignoring and denigrating the needs of the poor, deserve God’s blessing? It’s often insinuated that poor people deserve their lot, because they don’t work hard enough. If that were true, descendants of African slaves would be the richest people in America. Proverbs 19:17 tells us “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Senator McCain has called Senator Obama’s tax plan “class warfare.” Ironically, Republicans are the ones who’ve engaged in class warfare for the last eight years by redistributing wealth to the top. Moreover, for most of the 20 Century, America had a progressive tax code, where the rich paid a higher rate. In 1954, the rate reached as high as 91 percent.

The rate is now around 35 percent. Under Obama’s plan it would rise to around 39.6 percent at the high end. Moreover, as Obama has indicated, those who earn less than $250,000 will not pay a penny extra in taxes. Remember, income tax is the largest source of revenue. If we are to have a more caring society all must pay their fair share.

The harsh reality is Republican rhetoric about God is a phony travesty. If they were concerned with the virtues of Christianity they wouldn’t back tax-breaks for the rich that impoverish the rest of America, and they wouldn’t fight Senator Obama minor tax adjustments.

Most of us are familiar with this passage from 1 John 3:16 where we are told “For God so loved the world that he ‘gave’ his only begotten son.” Why don’t we see this Christian ideal of giving exhibited by the Republicans and their Christian flock? I guess, this isn’t a Christian society, since giving is apparently a “socialist” ideology.


Benjamin is a member of The Black Star News’ Editorial Board.

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