Why aren't the Religious Right the Champions of the Poor?

I really don't understand.

If we follow the stereotypes, then the right wing - the Republicans, the Christians, the "religious right" often base their beliefs on the Bible.  They believe God is the ultimate authority, and it is their duty to enact laws and support policies in line with Biblical teachings.

(I know there are plenty of Christians and religious people who are democrats, but go with me on this for a second.)

Generally speaking - why do the religious right say that gay marriage and abortion are wrong.  "Because God said so in the Bible."

Okay.

I have been reading extensively in the scriptures recently and one things really struck me:

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT ARE NOT THE CHAMPIONS OF THE POOR?!?

I mean seriously?  There are hundreds of passages instructing man to care for the poor, look out for the interests of others, sell all they have and give it to the poor, etc...

A quick Google search showed list after list: List #1, List#2, List #3, List #4 etc...

Here are a few of my favorite:

Deuteronomy 15:11 - I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

Psalms 82:3,4 -Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and needy.

Proverbs 14:31 - He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Zechariah 7:10 - And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor.

Matthew 25:40 -  Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mark 10:21 - Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.

The story of the Good Samaritan alone ought to be enough!  There is a reason I left the Republican Party to be an independent.  How can the base of a party say that they are anchored in the Bible and God's teachings, yet ignore the poor.
The Christians should be the champions of the poor.  No one should be more charitable because Christians see it as their religious duty - they can't get into heaven without helping the poor!

I don't know where the disconnect happened, but it is disgraceful.  The poor and needy should know no greater ally than the Christians, the religious right.  Christians certainly aren't the only ones who  help the poor.  There are many religions and many good citizens across the nation and the world who feel and teach that duty.  But the fact that the political party representing the Christians and religious right should ever be seen as the enemy of the poor is truly an Epic Failure.

We Are Not Single Issue Voters!

Why do people think that any of us are single issue voters?  With all the topics, policies, and the utter complexity of our everyday lives - how could it be possible to have your vote come down to one issue?

I'm a doctor in Residency.  I'm a mormon, married with kids.  I usually vote Republican.  I don't own a gun, but I enjoy skeet shooting and I'll probably own a shotgun someday.  I think everyone should pay their fair share of taxes, from the top to the bottom.  I believe we have a duty to help the poor, but no one is entitled to take what I've earned without my consent.  I want to retire someday, I want my kids to go to college.

I've only written 4 lines about myself (without touching foreign policy) - but I challenge anyone to explain to me why one of those issues should define me completely - and have absolute control over my vote.
Tonight I was reading a CNN story about the Democratic National Convention.  One comment said this:

"If you have a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother, cousin, then make sure you stand up against the party of No who has a mission to take women's wombs away from them. The GOP platform is to make abortion illegal, by going around the way of creating personhood amendments, that a person is made at conception. There will be no exceptions in any situation."

First, it's wrong, that's not Romney's stance - but let's not debate that here.  Even if it were true. Is the right to have an abortion the most important issue when picking a president?

A 60 year old woman who is getting ready to retire - is that her first priority?  It's not health care, or social security, or anything like that - it's her right to have an abortion???

How about Gun Control?  I like shooting a gun once in a while for sport.  I've never shot a living thing, but sure, I'd go hunting if someone invited me.  Does that define me?  Does that mean I must vote Republican so I have the right to a military grade assault rifle?  That's insane.

How about issues closer to home - Taxes, Health Care, Religion.  

 I'm a flat tax guy.  Does that mean I must vote for Ron Paul, or a flat tax supporter?  Is that the end all, beat all issue?

I'm a Mormon living in Nevada.  Does that mean I must vote for Harry Reid because he's a mormon too?  Must I vote for Romney?  

Health care is huge in my life.  First - I care that my family and I are healthy - and it's also how I get paid.  I serve mostly the indigent population - so government programs pay pretty much my entire salary.  If Medicaid and Medicare don't exist - how do those patients get health care?  How do their doctors get paid?  So must I vote democrat to support the full funding of those programs?

I have many homosexual friends.  Some are Republicans, some are Democrats.  Why are homosexuals treated like their sexual orientation defines them?  They can't have an opinion on foreign policy, the environment, employment, or any other issue?

Why are women treated like their uterus is their entire being?

Why are gun owners treated like that is their only joy in life?

Why, why, why?

Is it because it's easy?  We want people to fit into boxes?  We want to make elections about one issue, and then pick sides and duke it out?

Let's just tell people right now who they are voting for:

Women - Obama
Wealthy - Romney
Gays - Obama
Business Owners - Romney
Blacks/Latinos - Obama
Mormons - Romney
Youth - Obama
Unemployed - Romney

Do you disagree with this list? OF COURSE YOU DO!  It's wrong!

This is how we start ignoring people - we treat them like a demographic.

This is how stereotypes start - which leads to labeling, dismissing, hating, and eventually killing.

To the Republicans, the Democrats, The Libertarians, the Pundits, the Candidates, the Super-PACs and everybody else trying to influence us.  Stop treating us like stereotypical morons who have one track minds.

Thank you.

Conservative ≠ Close Minded

Why is it that somehow conservative means closed-minded?

In my life I have met many liberals/democrats/"open minded" progressive thinkers who were completely intolerant and closed minded about me and my lifestyle.

They could not open their minds to think of marriage in a traditional manner, or that it meant something more than a tax status or simply loving someone. It is a long standing tradition and religious institute; and I feel like Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof, "trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck."

These open minded friends are not open to my views of hard work and helping your neighbor because it's the right thing to do. They would rather dictate that I help others through higher taxes. I don't believe I should be mandated to help others, "he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant."

For Example: I graduated from medical school 3 months ago and after residency I plan on working in a small town in Idaho. I plan on working a few days a month in free clinics, and helping those who can't afford care. So I feel this should be sufficient.
That's why I don't appreciate patients who feel entitled to care, any time, all the time because they have medicaid. Medicaid doesn't pay enough to cover the overhead costs. I'd have to hire a medicaid billing expert to submit and resubmit paperwork so I can finally get less than 50% of what I bill. (and won't arrive for 3 months)
A little gratitude would go a long way, instead of demands.

I hope for truly open minded friends who are open to the thought of me praying when I want. I don't ask them to pray with me, I just ask that they let me worship how, what, and where I want.

I have "open minded" friends who ridicule me for not doing certain activities on Sunday because I consider Sunday sacred. There are those who plan activities on Sundays and Monday nights on purpose, to prove that they will not bend their will to any religion, whether it hurts participation or not.

I'm sick of being told I'm closed-minded by people who take no time to open their minds and learn about why I do the things I do.

I'm sure I have been closed-minded in the past, I'm sure I still am in ways I don't even realize.

But please, before you try to get the mote out of my eye, check for a beam in your own (I will do the same)