Qasim Rashid, who describes himself on Twitter as an Islamic educator, made perhaps the best case yet for universal healthcare in America.
While Republicans in the Senate debate the Better Care Reconciliation Act (Trumpcare) — an extremely unpopular healthcare bill with just a 17 percent approval rating according an NPR/Marist poll and a 12 percent approval rating according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll — Rashid is arguing that the debate should instead focus on how to provide even more comprehensive care than the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) currently provides.
Rashid underscored his argument using verses from the Quran, which emphasize the need for all members of society to be compassionate towards the sick and the suffering.
“It should be our practice to assist and empower our weaker brothers,” Rashid tweeted. “Imagine you & your bro. He can’t swim. You can. Do you let him drown?”
“Just as you help your bro fight addiction or loan money when he’s broke — you are responsible to help your bro when he’s sick & hurting,” he added.
Rashid also pointed out that an Indian sect of Islam particularly focuses on the role of elders to care about the health and welfare of the youth.
“It is compulsory for elders to help younger generations in a loving an affectionate manner,” Rashid tweeted, quoting the founder of the Islamic Ahmadiyya movement.
Read the full thread below:
It should be our practice to assist & empower our weaker brothers. Imagine you & your bro. He can't swim. You can. Do you let him drown? /2
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) July 18, 2017
Just as you help your bro fight addiction or loan money when he's broke—you are responsible to help your bro when he's sick & hurting. /4 pic.twitter.com/9uonGsqvgr
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) July 18, 2017
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) the Mahdi wrote, "It is compulsory for elders to help younger generations in a loving and affectionate manner." /6
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) July 18, 2017
Likewise, no point in spending $600B on military to "defend America" when millions of Americans are dying due to lack of $ for healthcare /8
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) July 18, 2017
No one says #Obamacare is perfect. But the solution isn't outright repeal. Let's catch up to the world & get universal healthcare. /10 pic.twitter.com/PAv0YG1hdM
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) July 18, 2017
Want to make USA great? Be truly pro life! Stop putting a $ sign on value of a human life & give equal & accessible healthcare to ALL. 11/11 pic.twitter.com/WICcmPxoJX
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) July 18, 2017
Currently, the fate of the BCRA is uncertain, as Republicans have so far failed to capture enough “yea” votes necessary to pass the bill through the budget reconciliation process, which Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is strategically utilizing in order to avoid the typical 60-vote threshold necessary to have an official floor vote. Current holdouts include Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky).
With three Republican senators on the “no” side, McConnell is unable to get even 50 votes, as Vice President Pence would need to cast a tiebreaker vote with even just two Republican senators voting no. Senators Dean Heller (R-Nevada) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on the fence, saying they need more time to review the legislation.
Scott Alden covers national politics, education, and environmental issues for Grit Post. He is a proud Toledo University graduate, and lives in Inkster, Michigan.
