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PDF versionAdvocates of the poor praise new budget plan
'Reverses 30-year trend of growing inequality'
Mar. 03, 2009
Jim Wallis speaks at Washington rally (CNS photo)
President Barack Obama’s proposed federal budget, which would result in a massive transfer of wealth, received rave reviews Mar. 2 from representatives of a number of religious groups, some of which have long ministered to the poor and are among the first to witness firsthand the widespread effects of the current economic crisis.
The Obama proposal, said Jim Wallis, author, activist and president of Sojourners, a Christian community in Washington, attempts to reverse a 30-year trend of growing inequality in the United States caused by policies that presumed that “enhancing the benefits of the wealthiest among us will eventually benefit us all. I think that has been proven false.”
For a long time, said Wallis, “we’ve thought that we did not have to take morals or values into consideration in making budget decisions” and that markets would provide sufficient protection to all. But concern for the common good “disappeared” under that thinking, he said.
Budgets are moral documents, he said, and as such the current proposal represents a “fundamental moral shift in the right direction.” The question, said Wallis, is whether a three-decade trend of “growing inequality” can be “turned more in the direction of the common good.” During the past 30 years, he said, wealth has been redistributed from the poor and middle class to the wealthiest. This budget, he said, reverses the trend.
Some 25 religious groups from across the country, foreseeing a protracted battle over the budget, are coordinating a rally to be held in Washington April 26-29 to press the point. “The faith community is really going to weigh in on this, Wallis said.
He spoke at the start of a conference call hosted by Sojourners.
Participants included Candy S. Hill, vice president for social policy and government affairs for Catholic Charities USA; Noel Castellanos, CEO of Christian Community Development Association of Chicago, a network of more than 500 non-profits nationwide that serve poor neighborhoods; and Mary Nelson, founder of Bethel New Life, an urban ministry located on Chicago’s West Side.
“For the first time in a long time,” said Hill, her agency is “not just responding to cuts to basic programs for the poor.”
Overall, she said, she rated the budget proposal as “very positive” for the millions of poor served by Catholic Charities each year. “We see the president’s budget request as providing a number of important investments in programs that we think will reduce poverty in America including healthcare reform, child nutrition, housing reform and education and training programs.”
NCR: February 3-16, 2012
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Conference fields advocates' questions on law, policy
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New study by Notre Dame researcher about parish involvement in America
She and others cautioned, however, that the proposed new rules cutting deductions to charity made by the wealthy could be harmful to agencies working with the poor.
Donors giving significant funds to Catholic Charities, she said, “are not merely donating because they get a tax deduction but because they are committed to our mission to serve the poor and advocate for justice.”
Hill also suggested that Catholics return to the 1980s pastoral by the U.S. bishops, Economic Justice for All, a document against which the Obama budget proposal might be measured. The principles outlined in that document, which urged that the economy be viewed in light of the common good and what it does for the poorest in society, “need to be looked at now more than ever,” she said.
Another Catholic endorsement came from Alexia Kelley, executive director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, who described the budget as “a moral document that reflects our values as a nation.” In a statement emailed to NCR, she said, “We are pleased to see that President Obama’s budget signals a shift in priorities towards the common good, with special attention to low-income communities and policies that can lift everyone up,” Kelly said in a prepared statement. The budget affirms the positive role that government plays in promoting the common good, which is also represented clearly in Catholic social teaching.”
Kelly said the budget’s proposals for “robust investments in housing for low-income citizens, ensuring college is affordable and beginning to invest in universal health care” represent “a first step toward building an economy that works for all Americans, not simply the privileged few.”
Each of the representatives spoke of needs that were growing quickly because of the economic downturn. Castellanos said the problem of poverty was quickly moving beyond the inner city into the suburbs where people who have lost jobs were increasingly seeking help for the first time with basic needs – from food and shelter to help paying utilities.
In Latino communities, Castellanos said, people are excited about the budget’s proposals for increased aid to education but criticized the budget for failing to address immigration reform.
It isn’t enough, said Nelson, to say the budget is “just good for needy people and that it is good for our moral values.” The religious groups “also have to make the business case” that investing in such areas as education, nutrition and child care not only meets immediate needs but will prove a good investment “down the road.” She said that funding greater access to health care and education, for instance, would translate into fewer prisoners and fewer visits to the emergency room, far more expensive alternatives, in the future.
Roberts is NCR Editor-at-Large.
"President Barack Obama’s
"President Barack Obama’s proposed federal budget, which would result in a massive transfer of wealth, received rave reviews Mar. 2 from representatives of a number of religious groups, some of which have long ministered to the poor and are among the first to witness firsthand the widespread effects of the current economic crisis."
Since when did Catholicism (Christianity in general) become a socialist institution?? A transfer of wealth? So, that means if I were rich (which I'm not even close), it would be OK to take my wealth and give it to someone else who didn't work hard for their money? Didn't save? Didn't do everything in their power to better themselves. I'm all for a "hand up" but not a "hand out." A "hand up" is true charity because it helps someone get out of the poor predicament they find themselves in. A "hand out" encourages people to stay where they are. And yes, I do speak from experience. I went from a kid who never knew if I'd have a home from one month to the next, to someone who finished college, got a master's degree, and did it all on my own, with my own sweat and tears. I have a family of 4, and make far less than 100k a year... but I earn it and would flip hamburgers, pick up trash, whatever, if I had to, to take care of my family!
This statement presumes that
This statement presumes that anyone who needs help isn't willing to do anything and everything they can to take care of their family. I work with the working poor who work hard, work long hours but the minimum wage isn't enough to put good food on the table, or provide a safe, clean place to live, or provide medical care. Today I will go to my job and on this day I will give out twenty $25 food vouchers. The people who will come to the door to receive these food vouchers are not lazy, they are not looking for a "hand out" because they don't want to work, but because there isn't much work available. Or they are working hard but not making enough money to pay all of the bills and maybe this $25 food voucher will allow them to buy a much needed prescription that they can't afford otherwise. Why is it that people so often judge those who are on the bottom rung of the economic ladder as people who are lazy? Jesus said that what we do for the least we are doing for Him. He didn't say don't help them because they are lazy. He said treat them as you would treat me. Once in a while, once in a great while, someone comes to the door who appears to be looking for the "easy" life and looking for others to take care of them. But, I also consider them broken and wounded people because a person with self respect and an unbroken spirit doesn't want to be taken care of.
Sharon, I agree with what you
Sharon, I agree with what you say. The use of "socialism" as an argument just does not pass the mustard. Socialism is just another economic system. It is neither nor moral or unmoral than is capitalism. The idea of socialism is to have all the means of production owned by the state. Obama is NOT advocating anything of the kind. He is advocating the recreation of the middle class which has been increasingly eroded by a tax structure favoring the very wealthy. Jesus himself taught some concepts that so many conservatives would vilify as socialism. "If a man asks for your coat, give him your shirt too!" Let's be real and understand that the greed in unregulated capitalism has led us into what is like the great depression of the thirties. I hope that Obama can help us avoid years and years of pain. To just say no any plan is socialistic is more than defeatist, it is sabotage! It is also not very Christian to want only a few wealthy people to benefit from the actions of government.
MarkinIdah, you just don't
MarkinIdah, you just don't get it, do you? Please read all four gospels, the Church's Social Encyclicals and the lives of the saints. By the way - you did not do it "all on my own".
MarkinIdaho's questioning the
MarkinIdaho's questioning the social justice issues of the Catholic Church (Christianity in general) reflects how little he knows about the teachings of Jesus.
HI, EVERYBODY! MARKINIDAHO, I
HI, EVERYBODY!
MARKINIDAHO, I KINDLY REQUEST THAT YOU READ THE HOLY BIBLE, STARTING WITH THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, THEN ALL THE REST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THEN THE ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT. THE BELIEF IN THE ONE TRUE GOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CAPITALISM AND EVERY THING ABOUT COMMUNITY-ISM! TRY IT! IT WORKS!
GOD LOVES US!
Since when did Catholicism
Since when did Catholicism (Christianity in general) become a socialist institution?? Since the earliest days: "The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common." Act 4:32
Such nonsense. I take it
Such nonsense. I take it that Catholic Charities are delighted to see the increased funding for aortions and birth control. The incentives for volutary charity to specific institutions and pursuits will be replaced by a governmental agency that prefers to decide which charities are worthwhile!! The relationship of faith based charity will be degraded and any concept of faith will be removed from the secular governmental contribution. The role of the government will be triumphant.
Huh?
Huh?
To Mark. While I may not
To Mark. While I may not agrre with the Obama budget. You are quite in error when you said Christianity is not a socialist institution.
It couldn't be more clear than in Acts 4:32-34
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
Thank you Anonymous. I had
Thank you Anonymous. I had just picked up my Bible to quote the exact same passage. It is amazing to me how often we hear the Gospel passage regarding the questions that will be asked at the Last Judgement, and yet do we really listen? Have you fed the hungry, clothed the naked, sheltered the homeless? And I wonder how many of the detractors of the budget have actually sat down and read what is really stated, or simply repeat things they have heard "somewhere" from "someone". Are we truly listening to Jesus, or is it something we just hear on Sunday and forget about the rest of the week? To finish the thought.. Acts 2 vs 42-47 has the same idea and ends this way: 46 With exultant and sincere hearts they took their meals in common, 47praising God and winning the approval of all the people." Peace and Blessings
It's about time! After years
It's about time! After years of obscene growth in the gap between the rich and the middle class, not to mention the poor, we have an administration courageous enough to take a small step to correct this immoral course we've been on as a nation for the last 30 years.
The budget, as a moral and
The budget, as a moral and even theological, document, deserves great praise from persons of faith because of its insistence on the rights of all in our society to live in dignity. Such a statement is long overdue after the eight years of the Bush administration which clearly favored the wealthy with its tax cuts and its disregard for the needy. Thank you, NCR, for publishing this article.
Well, here in CA, my state
Well, here in CA, my state taxes just went up over $1,000 per year and federal taxes under Obama will go up as the Bush tax cuts expire -- despite what Obama says about people making less than $200K per year -- if you pay Federal taxes at ANY income level, you will pay more when those provisions expire. This administration is just getting started on the road down to socialism.
The bottom line? I will need to significantly reduce my charitable giving this year to make up the difference.
So tell me again how this helps the poor?
Of course they're delighted,
Of course they're delighted, as tax-exempt organizations it's not their money.
Their money has been squandered on sex abuse judgements and lawyers' fees.
The earliest Christians
The earliest Christians shared everything in common. Many of the Gospel values point to us helping others. Jesus made no stipulations about the recipient's worthiness.
I don't think we will see a broadspread transfer of wealth in this budget plan.
In fact, I've seen the transfer of wealth from the middle class and poor to the rich to the wealthy over the last few years with executive compensation going out of the roof, policies that favor business to the detriment of those working for the business. The wealthier have already gotten wealthier.
If all goes as hoped, the middle class and poor should be able to do better.
The assumption by Markinidaho
The assumption by Markinidaho seems to be that it is somehow "wrong" to take money from the wealthiest to meet the needs of the middle-class and poor, whereas, it is apparently okay to take money from the middle-class and poor to support the wealthier growing ever more wealthy--which is exactly what has been happening in the United States for the past thirty years. Somehow fairness has become identified with "socialism" in the befuddled minds of those who have fallen, hook, line and sinker, for the economic drivel of the far-right ("Voodoo economics" I believe it was once, correctly, referred to by the father of the most recent former President).
I think that Catholic
I think that Catholic Charities are delighted to see the increased funding for aortions and birth control. This is a nice thing.
nxgdirect, What do you know
nxgdirect,
What do you know about Catholic Charities, anyway? Your comment states that you are in total ignorance. Have you even spent a week in a Catholic Charities' office? Even a day? They have helped countless of numbers of families, counseled children, provided for financial needs of families. They
have NEVER used funds for abortions and birth control. I have worked in offices next door to their offices---and know of how much good that they have done---often without fanfare from the larger Catholic Community. You speak of things that you obviously know nothing about.
The funding that they are receiving will help them in their charitable work---and will not come from funding from the Diocesan coffers. And that is good news.
Whenever our church begins to
Whenever our church begins to talk about sex or birth control it is time to turn a deaf ear. Most recent statistics show that the laity has made the decision about BC already. For any bishop to even speak on this issue after such grave mistakes as hiding rapes is not even conceivable that the people will or should listen. As far as abortion goes I am against it if it has to do with separating an embryo from a uterine wall, but calling either BC or stem cell research murder does not past the test of reality.
MaryinIdaho's comment also
MaryinIdaho's comment also presumes that the rich have invariably earned their wealth when, in fact, many have inherited it from ancestors who were robber-barons and exploiters of the working class and the poor.
Am I my brother's/sister's
Am I my brother's/sister's keeper?
It took fifteen steps to convert marKinidaho to marYinidaho.
On this feast day of Saint Katharine Drexel, it may help to recall how one individual, who had a lot of wealth transferred most of it to those in need - all without the state's help! http://www.katharinedrexel.org
Charity like GREED is a personal choice.
Genesis, CH.4:3-9 -
In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen. So the LORD said to Cain: "Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master." Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out in the field." When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He answered, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
God bless,
M.Francis
When Catholics vote, there
When Catholics vote, there are many, many issues to consider. I could not in good conscience vote for McCain. I am disappointed in Obama now making the Afghan War his war. But, I applaud his effort to help the poor and the middle class of our country.
Matthew Chapter 25 seems to
Matthew Chapter 25 seems to be missing in the Bibles owned by right wing Christians. I wonder what happened to those bibles.
Please, there is not going to
Please, there is not going to be a massive transfer of wealth and we're not going to be socialists. These are just republican talking points. The last time we had slightly higher taxes on the upper 2 per cent, we were on the road to great prosperity. Everyone was making money and the middle class was growing, not shrinking.
I would like to pay slightly higher taxes on a lot more money than lower taxes on a lot less money. I would love to pay capital gains tax because that would mean that I had capital gains. The little extra that the upper 2 per cent would pay in taxes for this budget would help everyone and that in turn would spur the economy so that they would make a lot more money. It's an investment in trickle-up economics.
It's about time that everyone share in the wealth that can be obtained.
To Markinidaho - This is what
To Markinidaho - This is what Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians: "For I do not mean that the relief of others should become your burden, but that there should be equality; that at the present time your abundance may supply their want, and that their abundance may, in its turn, make up what you lack, thus establishing an equality, as it is written, 'He who had much had nothing left over, and he who had little had not less.'"
Bill O'Reilly recently asked Neil Cavuto on Fox if he didn't mind paying more taxes to pay for the healthcare of those who can't afford it. Bill O'Reilly said he and Cavuto were going to be hammered by Obama's plan for tax increases for those making more than $250.000 a year. I am sure that both of them make way more than that if they are going to be "hammered" by the increases. What has happened over the last decades is that there has been a great redistribution of wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich.
Markinidaho, if you make way less than $100,000 a year, you will find yourself paying less in taxes. Why do you stick up for rich people like O'Reilly and Cavuto rather than those who like yourself have had to struggle to make ends meet? The redistribution of wealth to the rich is not the Biblical way of doing things. It is exactly the opposite of the message of Jesus and Paul and the early Christians and of the Old Testament prophets.
I'd like to pick up on the
I'd like to pick up on the phrase "the common good." Just as the founding fathers struggled with the balance between states rights and federal responsibilities, so we hear a struggle between "individual rights" (Rush's rant at the recent CPAC) and the common good. The founding fathers worked from a standard of morality that is missing from the current political climate. We need to call for a metanoia on the part of our government.
I believe that the Obama administration is a corrective move that is absolutely necessary as we decide on the future direction of this country. As the president recognized that the budget deficits have to be reduced, and the national debt significantly addressed by our own generation, we need to find a new balance, and it will take time.
Given the political reality after the election of 2008, Republicans should be seeking ways to balance the extremes in the Democratic party so that honesty and fairness in politics and government can be achieved. To hope for the failure of the "Obama plan" is to hope for Republicans as well as Democrats to continue the downward spiral we're in, i.e., all Americans
It was inevitable from the
It was inevitable from the first publication of the budget that critics would paint a picture straight, or at least obliquely, out of Orwell, Huxley, and Ayn Rand. Let us wring hands over the soon to be dismal future of the CEO profession and similar career choices. Soon their million dollar bonuses will shrivel down to where the youth of the country will have little incentive to enter this noble profession. And then who will we have to market the latest gadgets that we don't need? Herbert Hoover, where are you when we need you?
Americans are pretty generous
Americans are pretty generous people, willing to help those who need a hand up. But not to the extent needed, and not enough to provide basics like health care for everyone. The rich have gotten richer, and the rest of us are stagnant if not worse off. So therefore govt. must intervene through taxing and spending actions. If people don't like that, they can go to another country. But wait, virtually every other civilized nation taxes and spends more on the common good than we do. So I say, hats off to the Democrats for giving a damn about the people at the bottom for a change. May they focus on the common good and may our country realize its God given potential.
The Republican Party as
The Republican Party as clearly expressed by the likes of Rush and his cohorts is essentially the true American ideal that wealth is the divine right of individuals and that such wealth is the ONLY determiner of value. The Constitution is for them is an economic document and the Bill of Rights is basically an unnecessary embarrassment. As one Republican governor said "I should not be punished for being wealthy". In other words he is saying that he has no responsibility whatsoever to his fellow human being if it involves sharing his wealth. The notion that to whom much is given much is required is a heresy for free market capitalists. This is one of the reasons that Republicans are so opposed to the President and the Democratic Party and indeed it is the overriding concern for them. Even though they love to wrap themselves in the flag and then proceed to sit on the Bible invoking what they think is Divine Providence what the ultimate value is is Money and this my dear friends in the true religion of America!
Christianity is a socialist concept and Jesus was and is a Socialist! Our Blessed Lord makes it clear that where we put our money is where we have our treasure. In a county like the US profit is put above people and property above persons and the environment. I am convinced you cannot be a Christian and be a free market worshiper. One of the reasons that "the Church" has lost all its moral authority is because it has make peace and pact with capitalism. It has sought to save its life and in so doing has lost it! We need to redefine profit and its role in our culture and apply to it the same notion that to whom much is given much is required not asked of but required.
The idea expressed by Fr.
The idea expressed by Fr. Gentry, FCSF, is the very one I have been posting about for the past eight years of the Bush Repub administration, and the last 28yrs of the Reagan-Bush41-Bush43-Repub administrations. They all worship money and lust after ever more political power for the clear and express purposes of obtaining ever more money, very likely due to a belief in their Divine Right, and surely as a measure of their moral rectitude. These people are bereft of the most becoming of virtues, Humility.
Lest you think I am a disgruntled Dem. From my first voting days, in the 60s, I have been an Independent/swing voter, voting for whomever I thought was the better man/woman. These days I am far more aligned with the Green Party of Cynthia McKinney and the thinking of Dennis Kucinich and the mindset of Pacifism.
Our Catholic Church, has since the days prior to Reagan (St. Reagan, the Repub patron saint) succumbed to the sin of Pride and has given over it's soul to those who worship money, mammon, the golden idol. That is exactly where the present day Church has gone so far astray from the laws of God (Ten Commandments) and the teachings of Jesus. Were Jesus to come back today, I sincerely doubt that He would recognize the very Church he founded.
Apropos of St. Reagan, and lest we forget; the two people who put him in the WH were Pope John Paul II and his enemy/brethren Jerry Falwell. That was the beginning of this entire mess, this abyss, this racing toward the Singularity of Hell or the possibly demise of Holy Mother Church. Although it can be said that Catholics began this move to the hellishness of greed in the 60's, as they began acquiring money and their hate for Blacks, for their revolts of the 60's. The present day RCC is all about attacking Communism( Fatima, 1917) and "maintaining the civic/social order". Could we call the latter, a pandering to the rich and their Divine Right mentality.
Apropos of that, Scalia gave a speech in May of 2000, wherein he advocated and called for the end of our American Rule of Law. Further down the page in that same speech he advocated for the end of democracy in America. That agenda is a core/latent value of the Repub party and any one else who espouses either Big Business Fascism or Big Religion Fascism.
Had our most moral president , Jimmy Carter, had a second term, he was well on his way toward undoing the damages of some Big Business control/ownership of our nation and of it's greedy hold on the Repub party, specifically the Oil companies and the Auto companies. Carters oil/energy laws and conservation initiatives, had they been allowed to continue would have put our nation far ahead of the curve(28-30 or more yrs) and very possibly mitigated against this killing in Iraq for oil company profits.
Could it be that Religious leaders have no business controlling the things of this earth? Could it be that Jesus knew exactly what He was talking about when He said: "render therefore unto Caesar... Should we take that as sufficient and dire warning? I do. The moral relativists, the cafeteria Catholics, obviously do not.
Could it be, that for ignoring Jesus warning this nation and the cafeteria Catholics who align with the Repub party have condemned our nation and the Church to a kind of hell on earth, or worse! Could it be that this most egregious violation of the sin of Pride(and the worst of these is the first) may condemn it to that which we all fear! Can we call this foul turn of events a kind of "Theo-Fascism".
Some old adages seem to apply. Namely, the one which says: if you dance with the devil he'll own your soul. Also, the one which says; money is the root of all evil. And the one which says: absolute power corrupts, absolutely.
I hate to say it, but, I have been scandalized by my Church and my government. And radicalized, to some extent. In the final few years (terminal illness) of my life I am one who is wandering in the desert. And I can't see anyway out.
Sharon, I too, give away $25
Sharon, I too, give away $25 gas vouchers ($30 a few weeks ago), $30 food vouchers and $50 assists in rent, utilities, prescriptions, motel room, travel ticket - any kind of help that can be accomplished by delivering a check from the church I work for to the provider.
Yes, there are many caught in the crunch, but we also have those who return every six months for "my voucher". My tolerance runs in cycles; some days I think, Oh, get a job! Most of the time, I am well aware that they are unable to work and are barely existing.
We take referrals from the local helpline and the woman taking the calls has been saying lately: Oh, my desk is just covered.
And, yes, Sharon, twenty five years ago a wonderful, compassionate woman said to me that those who are "working the system" need help, too.
Putting women in the working
Putting women in the working place has caused the pricing index to rise. It takes two incomes now to make a living. In the fifties most people lived on one income. How come no one complains on how much Hollywood celebrities make?
Would you please show me one example where Jesus or the apostles actually gave money to the poor? When they chide the woman who poured and expensive oil on His head and said the money could have been given to the poor, Jesus retorts the poor they would always have with them. Jesus feed the 4000 and 5000 once each. They had sat through His teaching. In the temple, Peter and John said gold or silver have we none to the lame man, but they healed him.
You can feed a person's body and their soul will be in hell. Jesus sent the message to imprisoned John the Baptizer that the lame walk, thd blind see, etc. and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. All of the posts could do some better exegesis of Scripture.
Because of its healthcare
Because of its healthcare policies, the US has an infant mortality rate (200 per 1000) that is triple the rate of Bangladesh.
I believe that we should be better than Bangladesh. In fact, we should make it our goal to reduce infant mortality by at least 90%, so we were one third of Bangladesh. That's what the conservatives have called for.
97% percent of these mortalities result from abortions performed by the healthcare industry. What are the progressive policies that will meet our goal, without making abortion illegal?
I find it interesting to see
I find it interesting to see who are the true leaders in a more Christ-like society. They do not seem to include many American Catholic Bishops. Remember these are the men that failed to protect our children out of fear that clergy would suffer scandal.
OK. Being lower-middle class
OK. Being lower-middle class when it comes to my 'status', I don't want Bill Gates money if it's being taken from him and he doesn't want to give it to me. It's not right. Let me explain....
The Roman Catholic Church is not a socialist institution. Re-read what you think you read correctly and don't skip the parts where it says 'kingdom' plainly. In this kingdom, I refuse to see where Christ ever once mandated that any rich person give his wealth to the poor. The Church is a Kingdom with Christ as it's King. So then, as the King of His Kingdom, how did Christ rule those in it? Christ *teaches* the rich man, that unless he sells everything and gives it to the poor, he cannot get into Heaven. Christ doesn't say to the rich man, I am going to take your riches and redistribute it to the poor whether you like it or not. Why doesn't He? Because He's God. The Creator endowed us with free will and a heart capable of loving Him back enough to freely do what is right. Anything contrary to that would take away from the divinity of Christ. As well, taking from a rich man unwilling to give up his money that he has earned and giving it to someone else then, is stealing.
I think it is incorrect to think that this redistribution of wealth is a good idea in the manner that it is going to be implemented. What our Church teaches us is how to be charitable - not socialists. Socialism would have all our wealth collected by the government involuntarily (as is occurring - don't be fooled thinking it isn't) and redistributed. The virtue of charity cannot be forced upon anyone but has to originate as an act of free will out of love of God and man. You cannot force that. Perhaps it will solve the issues of what is problematic for some of the poor and middle class. However, I dare say that those who feel they are entitled to something someone else has worked hard for, is guilty of envy and sloth. This is wrong. No matter what good it all does, two wrongs never make a right.
Charity is what should be promoted. Not Socialism. The Acts you are all citing and the bible verses about what you perceive as socialism - isn't. Those are acts of pure love of God and man - Charity. There's a difference.
I have just a few comments.
I have just a few comments. I very much suggest Jim Wallis' book "God's Politics." I have yet to finish because college makes it hard to finish non-assigned reading. Some of the talking points in the book--it doesn't matter if you're Democrat or Republic, we are all called to serve each other. We do not need divisive rhetoric but common grounds to help each other. Nations function far better when wealth is distributed more evenly.
Take a Bible and cut out every passage dealing with our impoverished brothers and sisters...it's scary how much shorter it is.
The Catholic Church does not simply preach charity. It preaches justice. It is not simply enough to feed those who are hungry or clothe those who are naked. We much ask WHY they are and challenge those systems that cause poverty, massive wealth gaps and war.
We are called to justice, not only charity.
I completely agree that we
I completely agree that we need to support our impoverished brothers and sisters. I help somewhat by being a foster parent and wish I could give to the charities of my choice more. I do that by my own free will. However what you are implicating is that it is achieved by force. If that were the case, Paul VI wouldn't have said "If you want peace, work for justice". So why work for it when you can force it?
As 'Catholics' we are called by our 'free will' to acts of charity and justice out of love for God, ourselves, and our neighbor. As a subject in the Kingdom of Catholicism, not the democracy of Catholicism, even Justice itself isn't imposed on anyone against that free will.
Imposition of one will on another goes against free will. Any true Catholic social teaching or Church action coming from Rome will never violate the free will of anyone. So in short, charity is needed before justice. While this 'redistribution of wealth' may be just in the broad scope of things, it isn't producing a fertile seedbed for miraculous acts of charity to spring forth. If anything, it logically hinders charity.
I realize around these parts it's hard to distinguish the whole kingdom/democracy thing sometimes because of all the earnest wishing that our Church WAS a democracy but projecting that ideology into the discussions won't make it one anymore than it is now......so since it isn't a democracy, and won't ever be one, I'll loyally wait for the Pope to make up his mind each and every time before I make mine up.
When the economy declines,
When the economy declines, almost all of us were affected by the crisis. What more if there is an emergency and you can’t even do anything. There are a lot of different financial emergencies that can present themselves, and if you come up a bit short or you have bills that you won't be able to pay as a result, you could look into payday loans. Payday loans are short term, small amount loans that you take out and pay back quickly, usually your next payday. If you need a financial solution to an urgent situation, then payday loans could be what you are looking for.
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