Live in such a way that those who know you, but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you.
~ Mother Teresa

One of the most provocative things I have ever come across, I read on a bumper sticker. Many of you, at one time or another may have seen the sticker that asks, “Who would Jesus bomb?” Now, I suppose there are a number of fundamentalist extremists that might have a ready list. For many others, my guess is that this question gives one pause. I’m fairly certain that no highly evolved spiritual teacher would opt to bomb anybody.

Hopefully we’re in agreement that we should not be bombing and/or killing. In acknowledging that we shouldn’t hurt anyone, is there also a person or group that we should not help in the event that they become sick or injured? Therefore, in light of the ongoing Healthcare Reform discussion, my “bumper sticker” question to you is now, “Whom should we refuse healthcare to?”

Apparently, our lawmakers have come up with one such group they deem undeserving -- the so-called Illegal Aliens. Sure, it’s easy to jump to the righteous, knee-jerk conclusion that since they aren’t U.S. citizens and don’t pay income taxes they have no right to our tax dollars. But, the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking, caring folks, striving to make a better life for themselves and their families; their wishes are no different than our relatives who landed here decades ago. They do contribute to the economy. Do any of us refuse their labor? – In home improvement, landscaping, etc.? I have yet to come across anyone who does.

Have you ever even considered that we refer to fellow human beings as “alien? And how can anther person be considered “illegal?” Do you think that if things were really working out for them back “home” they would be struggling to live here? My goodness, unless you’re a Native American, it’s our extremely good fortune that our ancestors immigrated to this land.

Far too many of our woes stem from our creation of separation – the notion of “us” and “them.” Several religions contribute to this misguided judgment. This Holiday season millions of celebrants will hang decorations and send cards proclaiming “Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men.”
But if you’re caught up in this exclusionary “illegal alien business,” you are not exactly extending “goodwill towards all.”

Hey, what about this thought? Planet earth is our home. If charity truly begins at home, suppose we simply view the entire planet as our home and every single person as a citizen of planet earth. No aliens, no separation. Equal access to the basic necessity of healthcare must be regarded as a human right, irrespective of which side of the “line” one is born on.

I suspect many of you are angrily wondering where the money to pay for this will come from: it is available from the same government(s) that bail out billionaires and spend trillions on destruction and mass murder, yet balks when asked to allocate a fraction of that on disease prevention and wellness (for “Legals” and “Illegals” alike). Rather than competition and separatism allow compassion and caring for all living things to formulate our politics – as well as our thoughts, words and deeds.

In this December/January issue of Peace and Goodwill, compassion is the thread that winds through many of our articles. Our cover title, Evolving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary, written by Paul Hawken is one of the most extraordinary pieces we have ever printed. The Vegan Evolution, offered by Angel Flinn, says that the vegan ideal is at the core of the shift into a way of living that is more suited to the nature of people who care about the suffering of others, and who can empathize with another’s situation. Perhaps if we all possessed more of this sensitivity, we would not be arguing over healthcare; instead we would be caring about everyone’s health.

May we all have a Healthy, Peaceful & Prosperous New Year.