Lather, I understand what you are saying, but I am not sure I agree with you. Here is a quote from an online encyclopedia--
. . . His uncompromising moral demands on his
hearers, his repeated attacks on the Pharisees (see
JEWS) and scribes, and his sympathy for social
outcasts and the oppressed kindled popular enthusiasm.
In the third year of his mission, while in Jerusalem for
Passover, he was betrayed to the authorities by one of
his companions, JUDAS ISCARIOT. After sharing the
LAST SUPPER (a Passover seder) with his disciples, he
was arrested. The Gospels indicate that he was
interrogated by Jewish authorities and handed over to
the Romans, who crucified him, perhaps as an agitator . . .
The Concise Columbia Electronic
Encyclopedia, Third Edition Copyright ©
1994, Columbia University Press.
I think it is really hard to figure out exactly what Jesus said and did not say, did or did not do, because the historical record has been so distorted by subsequent groups of people with differing political agendas. I also think you have to evaluate the message in the context of the times. He was disturbing and radical enough to be executed by the Romans as a rabble rouser. Many sayings which are attributed to him extol the virtues of poverty as a blessed state, and castigate the rich. I don't think he had to have a perfectly modern vision of the collective state!
I am not sure that compassion at the individual/microcommunal level IS a trait of Republicans. Certainly, their platform is generally much more selfish and materialistic than that of the Democrats. This is not necessarily a bad thing--enlightened self interest seems to be a stronger motivator of behavior than the welfare state ever was. I do think the Republicans hold the moral high ground in the impeachment debate, however, and that part of the detritus when it is all over will be that the Democrats no longer can try to claim cleaner and loftier ethics.
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