FIRST AMENDMENT QUESTION WITH HEALTHCARE

   President Obama, 

         I wouldn't want the Executive Branch to make a mistake with the issue of requiring religious employers to meet the requirement of Federal law.  There no room to 'bargain' on the the requirement for religious employers to meet the requirements for providing healthcare insurance.  This needs to be applied to all employers.

             Let’s look at the issue clearly.  The controversy is with the Catholic Church being required to fund an employee health insurance - including free birth control, which they oppose.

                First, there is no requirement of Catholic employees to use the free birth control.  Second, if you are an employee, should you not have a right to this benefit despite who that employer is?  Third, if you were to make an 'exception' in this case, where would it end?

                This ruling isn’t in any way violating the First Amendment in “prohibiting the free exercise” of the Catholic Church for its’ parishioners.  No one has to use free birth control.  It’s simply ensuring its’ employees have equal access to the provisions of health insurance.  The health care ruling is providing equal protection under the law for all employees, regardless of: 1) their employer and 2) their religious beliefs – which is a requirement of the Constitution.

                To suggest that the Catholic Church (or its’ employees) are exempt from a provision of law, is the same as suggesting that those same religious beliefs should apply to all people.  And, if you haven’t guessed it already, that is in violation of the Constitution (the principle of Separation of Church and State).

                Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the right decision.  This isn't subject to bargaining or caving to public opinion, it's a clear Constitutional issue if you can get past the emotions involved.

Tim