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insisting on a “strict construction” of a “liberal” interpretation of the constitution. Separation of Church and state is simply not in the constitution unless put there by “liberal” interpretation and thus it makes no sense to apply the principle of “strict construction” to separation of church and state, which derives from a “liberal” construction in the first place.
The fact is that all Americans, whether liberal or conservative, should support the concept of helping the needy in our great land. The apostle James wrote 2,000 years ago: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction...” He was referring to the practice of providing for the needs of those who were unable to help themselves.
Assistance of the needy is an age-old concept that conservatives can support as a “timehonored” tradition of religious institutions (conservative tend to believe that care of the needy should be the job of the church and not the state). Likewise, assistance of the needy is a “liberal” concept that is supported by most liberal thinkers in our country today.
What is difficult about Mr. Bush’s program is that it combines conservative and liberal ideals. Mr. Bush has proposed that the government and religion form a partnership to see that the needs of the poor are better met. As Americans, we need to be “liberal” enough to put aside the political differences that divide us on this issue. The ultimate purpose (of assisting those who cannot help themselves) is “pure and undefiled.”
We need to focus more on the objective of helping the needy and less on our political agendas. Let us not defile the objective of helping out our poor and needy by “closed” thinking that puts the law in a straitjacket and serves no real purpose other than partisan political ends.
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