Pain is pain is pain is pain

[osewalrus]

People are fond of quoting Lin Manuel Miranda's Tony acceptance speech that "Love, is love, is love, is love." I am going to modify that: "Pain is pain is pain is pain. Need is need is need is need."
 

When I see comments about how we should let rural people suffer from crumbling infrastructure and lack of basic resources, or how we should not be willing to spend money to help those in the Florida panhandle and rural Georgia and the Carolinas because these guys voted for Trump and Republicans who are responsible for crumbling infrastructure, global warming, etc., and who cheerfully cut off and abandon others in need or pain as moochers and takers, I strongly invite you to reconsider.

The test of our moral principles -- of our basic empathy as human beings -- is not when people we like need help. It's not simply when people like us need help. It isn't just when its 'good people' or 'deserving people' who need help.

The real test of our moral character is when people you don't like, who are not like you, who are not particularly 'good' or 'deserving' or not even particularly likable, are in pain and need help. The real test of our moral character is to say: "you are a human being and you are suffering and in pain and you need help."

This is what a civilized society does. Even if I know you would NOT do the same for me, I have a duty to acknowledge your pain and need. Because, like it or not, you are a fellow human being. And pain is pain is pain is pain; and need is need is need is need.