SICKO (2007)

Directed by: Michael Moore
Written by: Michael Moore
Studio: Lionsgate
Starring: Michael Moore
Rated: PG-13

About the film:
Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore turns his cameras onto the broken US health care system to ask the question “why does the greatest country in the world have a health care system that cannot provide for the needs of its citizens?”

Movie Quote:
“Choice depends on the freedom to choose and if you are shackled with debt you don’t have the freedom to choose.”
Tony Benn (as himself) in Sicko (2007)

Bible Quote:
“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

Commentary:
Regardless of which side one falls on the current health care debate, there is no question that Moore’s film shows a dire problem in need of fixing. But tucked away in this scathing attack on for-profit health care is this salient little quote from British politician Tony Benn that speaks volumes about a whole other issue – debt.

The health care debate deserves inspection and discussion, but the debt issue in this country is even more important because it touches upon every single aspect of our lives – including our health care. Being in debt restricts our freedom; restricts our choices; restricts our lives. It makes us virtual slaves to those to whom we owe money. And they don’t care about us… only about what we owe.

“I owe, I owe, so off to work I go…” is the mantra of most Americans. Can we even imagine working somewhere because we wanted to instead of because we have to? It’s hard because this country not only promotes a debt mentality it adopts one as its own. All one needs to do is look at the fiscal practices of our nation to see that.

God encourages us to live wisely by living debt-free. Having no debt opens doors of opportunities in all areas of life – doors that were always open to us but that we could not walk through due to our financial shackles.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Is there a solution to the US health care crisis? Find scriptural references to support your answer.
2. Why does debt “shackle?” Why can’t it be used to serve God’s purposes?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com