What Would Jesus Do??

Just a few years ago, WWJD buttons were everywhere, encouraging people to ask themselves what Jesus would do in a particular situation. It's been some time since I saw a button or bumper sticker urging us to take Christ's teaching into consideration.
At the moment, the US is steeped in the deepest recession in generations. The government reports unemployment at about 10% with figures that are misleading unless you know the facts behind the statistics. That 10 percent figure doesn't include people who aren't actively looking for work. That alone eliminated hundreds of thousands of workers who have given up hope of finding a job. It doesn't include students who are unable to find part-time work to help pay for tuition and it also doesn't include people who have accepted part-time work becuase they are unable to land a full-time job. The true unemployment rate is likely closer to 20 percent than 10.
I recently accepted a seasonal jon working at Macys' after months of searching for full-time work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, I am not among the millions of unemployed Americans. There's little comfort in that fact.
As I write this, our elected officials in Washington are considering two pieces of legislation. One would extend unemployment benefits to millions who are without work, providing them with payments of up to $300 to feed their families, pay the rent, keep the lights burning and clothes on their backs. The second measure would extend tax cuts approved under George W. Bush for the wealthiest one percent of Americans.
It seems certain that extended unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed will be rejected. The fate of the Bush tax cuts is uncertain, but it appears that it will pass. It certainly has a better chance of passage than extended unemployment.
The president is meeting with Republican leaders today in hopes of coming up with a compromise solution to both these issues.
I wish the president would ask all those Republicans if they've considered WWJD. Given the choice between helping the poor or further enriching the wealthy, what course do you suppose the Son of God would choose? Do you suppose he would approve borrowing millions in order to fund a tax break for billionaires? Or would He advise Congress to provide payments to allow millions of out-of-work Americans to live in dignity?
The Jesus I have known since childhood would do what Republicans find themselves unable to do. Remembering his warning about the difficulties the rich will face in reaching the kingdom of heaven, I don't believe he'd endorse a plan designed to create more rich men.