The definition of selfishness…

On a classic episode of Seinfeld (well, they’re all classic to me), George asks Jerry if it’s so selfish to want to have something to oneself. Jerry replies, “I think that’s the definition of selfishness.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about that remark as I watched an interview this week on Fox News. A panel of three people was being asked questions about healthcare for all Americans. This may have been part of a longer interview about the coming election, but by the time I tuned in, they were on healthcare. A man on the panel began his argument against universal healthcare by stating that he’s not selfish, nor is anyone else who simply wants to keep their “wealth” to themselves. He simply believes that healthcare for others is not his problem. He went on to argue that he shouldn’t have to pay for what others need. Wow. If that’s not selfishness, then I really don’t know what is.

But his argument calls to mind another quote: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “ (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)

I read an article this week about gay marriage, which was along the same lines as the issue above. The author of the article argued that America couldn’t allow the definition of marriage to be changed. He gave as his reason that marriage is not a right, it’s a privilege. No one has the guarantee or right to get married, he wrote, and society gets to decide who is granted the privilege of marriage.

Hum, the privilege to have healthcare and the privilege to enter into one of the most satisfying relationships possible. All of that reminds me of yet another quote: “Quakers believe that since all people embody the same divine spark, all people deserve equal and fair treatment” (from Wikipedia).

My faith in Jesus and my faith as a Quaker prohibit me from seeing some people as more worthy than others. I could never argue that my taxes shouldn’t go up so that those less fortunate than myself can have access to healthcare, just like I will not argue that a loving adult couple shouldn’t have the right to be married as I am. To do that would be to distinguish between the worth of one individual over another, and that is the opposite of what Christ teaches.