Most of us have had a history class that at least touched upon the words “the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,” written in the United States Declaration of Independence. The Declaration goes on to say that these were given to all humans by their creator.. The Founding Fathers acknowledged that we are all to be treated equally. We are also to be entitled to our own opinions and beliefs as long as we don’t take infringe upon the same liberties of others.  

New York City has at least four officials who don’t agree. Corey Johnson, New York City’s Council Speaker, has decided that Samaritan’s Purse, which is an organization formed through the initial ministries of Reverend Billy Graham, is not the type of organization he wants to help New Yorkers in the midst of all the current issues. Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian medical-relief organization that has provided aid all over the world, whenever and wherever emergency help is needed. They are made up of top-flight, military-grade clinics. With all that was happening in New York with Covid-19, Samaritan’s Purse aimed to assist.  

The New York Post reported that “city bureaucrats pestered the group for information about its cultural practices. Four local Democratic members of Congress Reps. Jerry Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Adriano Espaillat, and AOC sent a letter to Mount Sinai expressing their “concern” about the group’s efforts and demanding to know how it had received permission to operate in Central Park.”

Samaritan’s Purse has been welcomed all over the world, even in nations whose founders did not write a declaration that recognized a creator. 

Whatever your beliefs, whatever your political affiliation, I hope you will assess those in power who use their influence in ways that actually hurt the people they are representing. Why, when an organization that has been welcome all over the world, would a group of leaders in what is supposed to be a free country try to run that organization out of town when those who were stricken wanted to continue to receive assistance until this pandemic is over?  

Most of us will have the ability to vote in November. Remember that we need to think about what we want our future to look like and assess our rights and freedoms and who will really protect those. Do we want leaders who make decisions based on people’s beliefs, or should decisions be based on their actions? Isn’t this America where we have the right to believe differently and respect that diversity. Isn’t that diversity what has been preached to us since we were in grade school?

I have always been told that “actions speak louder than words,” and Samaritan’s Purse has proven to be a tremendous help to people in need through their actions.