A theological case for the welfare state

Replacing government programs with private charity isn't just bad policy, it's bad theology

John Kasich
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Tony Dejak))

In the wake of ObamaCare's passage, conservatives felt challenged to come up with effective yet subtle ways to undermine the program and inhibit its ability to carry out its mission. One method that immediately gained popularity in conservative circles was to refuse to expand Medicaid at the state-level, a move that would leave many poor people who would have otherwise qualified for the program without health care. But Republican governor John Kasich (Ohio) wasn't having it.

In remarks made to members of the press on June 18th of last year, Kasich explained:

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Elizabeth Stoker writes about Christianity, ethics, and policy for Salon, The Atlantic, and The Week. She is a graduate of Brandeis University, a Marshall Scholar, and a current Cambridge University divinity student. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys working in the garden and catching up on news of the temporal world.