Fairness, Justice, and Greed: The American Way

I have been having trouble sleeping, and I lie awake at night, and mostly go through everything I have to do during the week, and watch South Park at 1am. But sometimes I think about really deep questions, and last night was one of those nights. I have a friend I have never met. She lives on the other side of the country. But we share the same illness, and through that experience, we have supported each other, shared in victories, and lifted each other up in prayer through the tough times. I found out recently that this friend, who has spent years battling a chronic illness, has now been diagnosed with a very serious cancer. She is 26, and she needs a hysterectomy.

So last night I lay there, and thought about how unfair life is. Once you have had brain surgery, and spent years of your life fighting for some semblance of normalcy, shouldn't you get a pass for the rest of your life. Like a "Get out of Jail Free" card in monopoly. You should not be 26, and facing another life-threatening illness, or having to deal with all the emotions of never being able to have children. I thought about how some people intentionally (although maybe not always consciously), cause the destruction in their own lives; alcoholics, drug addicts, convicts. And why does it seem that these people get chance, after chance to make their lives right and start again? Why are there so many couples who desperately want children, and can provide them a good home, but just can't conceive; when on the opposite end of the spectrum there are so many children living in homes of neglect and abuse? I once worked with a couple that killed their 1 year old daughter, and almost killed their 3 year old son, and they plea bargained and did less than 5 years for her murder. Where was the justice there? I know God says that "justice" and "vengeance" are His, but from where I am sitting the scales are tipped way in the favor of injustice!

My friend I mentioned before needs a surgery to save her life, and insurance will not pay for it. I understand this predicament, having been through a similar situation. I just don't understand how a corporation can met out life and death. How can they weigh someone's life based on a bottom line? I don't have all the answers. I know healthcare is expensive, but I don't think the expense should also be human lives.

I want to believe that in our core, most of us are good and decent people. But I also think that it is somehow in the nature of people to be greedy and selfish, and that until we learn to fight against that nature, there really is no fairness or justice in our world.