Sample Letter on Health Care Reform
Dear [Member of Congress],
More than 47 million Americans — disproportionately African-Americans, Hispanics and the working poor — are uninsured. As a result, they lack ready access to care, which causes unnecessary deaths and results in higher costs. This situation is immoral and intolerable.
As a Christian, I believe that a biblically-compatible health care system will celebrate God’s generous provision of resources, assuring enough for everyone when shared equitably by all; promote the flourishing of the whole community, including each of its members; and protect the well-being of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.
I call upon the U.S. Congress to enact bipartisan legislation that assures access without barriers to affordable, basic, quality health care for all.
Sincerely,
Name and address
For a more detailed letter, visit washingtonmemo.org/newsletter/summer09.
10th Annual High School Essay Contest
The annual MCC Washington Office essay contest provides an opportunity for young people to reflect on public policy and Anabaptist faith. The contest is open to Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and other Anabaptist youth of high school age, and to all youth who attend Mennonite high schools. The three suggested topics this past year were U.S. energy policy, gun laws and the global food crisis. Other contestants chose their own topics, including one essay receiving honorable mention which discussed global warming and environmental policy. The following are excerpts from the winning essays.
Grand Prize: “The Global Food Crisis: Feeding the 6,700,000,000”
Johnny Kauffman, Bethany Christian High School, Goshen, Indiana
In the New Testament story of the feeding of the five thousand, a small boy shares a few pieces of fish and bread which miraculously become enough to feed the large crowd that is gathered to hear Jesus speak. “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way (Matthew 15:32).” The importance of the food that is distributed in this passage is often forgotten, because many Christians prefer to focus on the miraculous powers of Jesus. However, Christians need to take another look at this passage as food shortages and rampant food price increases occur throughout the world, giving the followers of Jesus around the world a new multitude to feed.
The global food crisis has hit the developing world hard and fast. Riots have broken out in a number of countries over food price increases and food shortages. There should be little surprise that unrest has reached so many countries, because between 2006 and 2008 rice prices rose 217 percent; wheat prices 136 percent; corn prices 125 percent; and soybeans 107 percent. Unfortunately the crisis has hit those who are already struggling to find food the hardest. The food crisis raises new questions about how Christians living in developed nations should respond to poverty, hunger and economic injustice around the world…
Honorable Mention: “Global Warming and the Threat It Poses”
Jacob Brubaker, Western Mennonite School, Salem, Oregon
The question has shifted, from “if global warming exists?” to “how soon will its full effects be unleashed on our relatively small and unprotected planet?” How do we combat this problem? There are many ways. However, most, if not all, require tremendous sacrifice on the part of the highest contributor to the problem, the United States…
Honorable Mention: “An Energy Policy for All Americans”
Erin Helmuth, Bethany Christian High School, Goshen, Indiana
Economically, the costs of alternative energies will be higher at first as new factories and means of generation are established. Government investment, however, would help make them affordable to all Americans. Also, their production would create new markets and new jobs that couldn’t be shipped overseas, significantly boosting the economy and providing work for the thousands of unemployed. Alternative energy sources have the capacity to power the country, but something will have to be done to drive people and companies to make the switch from the more convenient sources of coal and oil to renewable energies. To accomplish this, the U.S. government needs to create a carbon cap and trade system and offer industry and consumer tax incentives…
Honorable Mention: “Life or Death”
Lindsay Waltner, Freeman Academy, Freeman, South Dakota
Many families in the United States own guns because they are fearful of their surroundings, and they want to feel as if they are protected… Whereas one should be able to have a gun for recreational purposes, there should be stricter regulations as well as background checks when purchasing a gun, which is made possible through the use of technology. We, as Christians, need to realize that our hope and trust should lie in God, not our material needs… We are clearly called to live peaceful lives. Some may interpret this to mean that we do not raise a gun, but others will believe that it goes way beyond that. A realization needs to be made that violence is not the way to solve conflict…
Abundant Life: Economic Justice for All
Join us on one or more of the following Sundays to pray, reflect and act for economic justice for all:
- Sunday, July 19, 2009 And many were healed: Health care for all
- Sunday, October 25, 2009 Proclaim Jubilee: A new beginning
- Sunday, January 31, 2010 Secure dwelling places: A home for everyone
- Sunday, April 25, 2010 Let justice roll down: Trade for the common good
Worship and advocacy resources for each Sunday available at washington.mcc.org/life or by contacting us at mccwash@mcc.org or 202-544-6564. Together we can be part of God’s vision of abundant life for all.
