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PDF versionProgressives in the public square
Underfunded Catholics in Alliance scales back, but two more directly political Catholic groups still going strong
Sep. 14, 2010
Rep. John Boccieri, D-Ohio, tells reporters he will vote yes on the health care reform bill March 19 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP/Lauren Victoria Burke)
WASHINGTON -- Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good closed its office in Washington at the end of July and let its remaining paid staff go, but it plans to continue a scaled-back program.
Founded in 2005 after George W. Bush soundly beat John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election, it was one of three new Catholic organizations formed to spread the message of progressive Catholic social teaching that is fully pro-life, countering Republican efforts of recent years to lay claim to being the party that represents Catholic values.
The other two, Catholics United and Catholic Democrats, both more directly political than the alliance, say they are still going strong and expanding, but much of the alliance’s funding dried up this year.
“The money just wasn’t there” to keep the full operation going, said Jesuit Fr. William J. Byron of St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, a member of the alliance’s board of directors.
Jesuit Fr. Thomas J. Reese, a senior fellow at Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University in Washington, said a major problem facing progressive Catholic groups in general is that “they don’t have any money.”
“Catholic Republicans are willing to open their checkbooks and finance” conservative Catholic groups, he said, but there is no comparable support from the Democratic side for liberal Catholic organizations addressing public policy issues, and “they are way underfunded.”
Fred Rotondaro, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and chairman of the Catholics in Alliance board, agreed that money problems forced the cutbacks but said the alliance will continue to operate “at a reduced stage.”
He said that he is working on new fundraising and that in the meantime plans are under way to begin spreading the alliance’s message through Web postings and e-mail. “We have a pretty good mailing list, about 40,000 people,” he said.
He added that since closing its original office, the alliance has obtained some shared office space on K Street in Washington and “we will have staff. We will have at least a part-time office manager.” At one time the organization had at least half a dozen people on its staff.
The alliance was formed in 2005 -- as Rotondaro put it, “right after the [2004] presidential election, when I think a number of progressive Catholics came to the belief that social justice ideas were not being very seriously considered by a lot of Catholics when they came to voting.”
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Over the past five years, “I think we did do a very good job of educating a great number of people, a great number of Catholics, about the fact that issues such as poverty, environmental issues, antiwar issues, were very, very important.” he said.
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Pa., joins other antiabortion Democrats in annoucing their support for the health care reform bill March 21. (Newscom/ZUMA Press)“Catholics in Alliance is a pro-life organization, but a lot of us are -- certainly I am -- very strongly in favor of the Cardinal Bernardin principle of the ‘seamless garment,’ ” he added, referring to the late Chicago Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin’s argument that Catholics must apply a “consistent ethic of life” to the full array of issues that touch on human life and dignity.
He said the alliance may have suffered somewhat from its very success after Barack Obama was elected president. “There’s a lot less enthusiasm right now [than there was when progressive Catholics felt shut out of the public debate]. In effect, we had a situation where ‘we won and we don’t have to worry about things’ -- well, unfortunately, you win but you’ve gotta keep pounding the pavement.”
Rotondaro said there are a number of good, experienced writers on Catholic social teachings on the alliance board or still connected to the organization in other ways. Within the next month or so, he said he hoped they would begin writing a series of “roundtable postings” on the alliance Web site, www.catholicsinalliance.org, addressing “themes of Catholic social justice principles and how they apply to public policy at this time.”
“What we want to do is go back to one of the first tenets of our organization, which was promotion of Catholic social justice principles,” he said.
The site has resource materials on some of those issues, but at the end of August it appeared that nothing new had been posted since June.
The alliance, unlike two other politically progressive Catholic groups that sprang up about the same time -- Catholics United and Catholic Democrats -- was formed under nonprofit rules that do not let it do partisan political campaigning or lobbying.
Yet it was credited with being instrumental in opening up a new public discussion of how Catholics could vote for politicians based on their entire record of positions on many issues of justice and human dignity -- including recognition of the pro-life stance of those who seek to reduce the number of abortions in the United States through social and economic programs even if they oppose outlawing it.
Among chief beneficiaries in this discussion have been Catholic Democratic politicians who are pro-life but do not believe it is possible or desirable to try to outlaw abortion in a pluralistic nation like the United States. Such pro-life Catholic Democrats in Congress played a key role in the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act earlier this year.
Several NCR sources said most of the funding for the alliance from the beginning had been given by or generated by Smith and Elizabeth Bagley. Smith Bagley, an R.J. Reynolds heir, entrepreneur, social activist, Washington socialite and Democratic fundraiser, died last January. His wife, Elizabeth, also a well-known social and political activist and former ambassador to Portugal, has been special representative for global partnerships under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton since June 2009. Rotondaro said he believes Bagley’s position as a State Department official prevents her from engaging in fundraising for outside groups such as the alliance.
While the alliance has been forced to scale back dramatically because of a lack of funding, the more clearly political groups, Catholics United and Catholic Democrats, have started gearing up for off-year elections this fall.
In July, Catholics United (www.catholics-united.org) announced a $500,000 campaign to retain the House seats of four pro-life Democrats who voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- Reps. Tom Perriello in Virginia, Kathy Dahlkemper in Pennsylvania, and Steve Driehaus and John Boccieri in Ohio.
“The campaign is going great,” said Chris Korzen, Catholics United executive director. He said the organization has campaign workers in all four congressional districts and has brought out local Catholics to offer a countervoice to the Susan B. Anthony List bus tour in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania this August.
The Susan B. Anthony List (www.sba-list.org), whose political action committee devotes millions of dollars to electing pro-life women or pro-life men running against pro-choice women, has sought to portray pro-life politicians who voted for the health care reform legislation -- including Dahlkemper and Driehaus -- as former pro-lifers who have sold out to the pro-choice movement.
There is continuing disagreement whether the health reform act provides new federal funding for abortion or maintains the status quo, prohibiting all such funding except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother’s life.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed the legislation on grounds that several of its provisions open the door to court decisions that would force more federal funding of abortion. Catholics United has on its Web site links to articles and analyses that say the legislation does not offer new federal funding of abortion and in fact includes provisions likely to reduce the number of abortions.
Catholic Democrats (www.catholicdemocrats.org) describes itself as “advocating the ideals of Catholic social teaching and the Democratic Party.”
In 2008 it launched a Catholics for Obama Web site (www.catholicsforobama.org). The site offers for download a booklet, The Catholic Case for Obama, by the president of Catholic Democrats, Dr. Patrick Whelan of Harvard Medical School. (Whelan is a member of the NCR board of directors.)
Steven Krueger, Catholic Democrats’ national director, said the organization so far has operated “on a shoestring” as essentially an all-volunteer organization, but over the past two years it has built its base of supporters from 600 to 15,000.
In the meantime it has also built a track record of effectiveness in the public square as well as successes behind the scenes, he said, and “now we’re ready to take the next step” of developing a paid staff.
“We have every reason to believe that we will be successful,” he said. “There is a tremendous need for progressive Catholics to have their voices heard. ... Catholic social teaching has much to say” to U.S. policy directions.
He said a fundraiser is planned this fall.
Stephen Schneck, a political science professor and director of The Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies in Washington, said it is understandable that after a grueling battle like the health care reform in 2009-2010, the progressive Catholic organizations involved in that would feel “a bit of activism fatigue” and step back to catch their breath.
The health care fight “was a big effort -- it took something out of a lot of organizations,” he said.
“There has been a lull,” he said, but from what he has heard, those organizations are all gearing up for more activity as the elections draw near -- especially Catholics United, which he said has been “very active for the last month or so” in support of key pro-life Democrats who are being painted as pro-choice because of their vote on health care reform.
On the financial side, Reese said the GOP has focused on courting Catholics since the 1980s and has put money out there to back the effort.
For example, the conservative, Republican-oriented Susan B. Anthony List plans to spend $6 million on midterm elections this fall.
By comparison, Catholics in Alliance, Catholics United and Catholic Democrats “don’t have the money or the manpower to have much effect,” Reese said.
“We don’t have a Democratic Karl Rove [longtime Republican political strategist and deputy chief of staff under George W. Bush] who sees the importance of the Catholic vote for the Democratic Party and is willing to use his political muscle and his financial muscle to support a strategy that reaches out to Catholics,” Reese said.
[Jerry Filteau is NCR Washington correspondent.]
Those Catholics who have the
Those Catholics who have the wealth to support political action groups seem much more stingy. They are more likely to protect their wealth by giving support to Republican organizations. The rest of us are barely scrapping by.
Any Catholic with modest means won a big jackpot lately?
Old stereotypes. Today,
Old stereotypes. Today, progressives are just as likely to be wealthy as conservatives.
Conservatives, whether they are Catholic or Evangelical, tend to give money in a more focused way to a few select groups. Progressive of any denomination tend to spread out their donations.
Texas, no, progressive are
Texas, no, progressive are not as likely to be wealthy as conservatives. Nothing stereotypical about progressives! They are comprised of the 80-90 percent of the population who are mostly lower middle class or poor this days. Their wages have not risen the past 40 to 50 years in comparison to the cost of living increases. In fact those wages have stagnated, while the income of the upper crust, (mostly Republicans) has sky rocketed during the same time period. The statistics are there to prove it.
"Texas, no, progressive are
"Texas, no, progressive are not as likely to be wealthy as conservatives."
The wealthiest portions of the country are progressive. Though democrats like to use the "working class" image, progressive democrats are as likely to to have degrees in software engineering than they are to be blue collar.
Times have changed since the 1970s. Look at the wealth of progressive Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Boston, Madison etc. Sure, there is poverty there, but the "Democrats are from the working class" concept died along time ago.
For every Billionaire supporting conservative politics, there is another supporting progressive politics. For every struggling progressive, there is a struggling conservative.
Texas, wrong again!! We are
Texas, wrong again!! We are looking at the statistic now, the 2010. Forget the 70ties. It is the likes of you who want to make everybody believe that progressives are as wealthy as conservatives. You know very well it is the later, who want to privatize social security, outsource all jobs to slave labor counties, such a China, India, and anywhere to the Southern hemisphere. 90-95 percent of the people are today low middle class, and 43 percent of the entire population in this nation live now far below poverty line. Now this numbers just just came out, not from the seventies.
Wealthy progressives are easily counted, and no match for the resources of the filthy rich conservatives, who want to see the rest of the population as poor as those in any third world country. The prospect of that pictures makes them drool of the wealth it would put in their pocket.
There is no justice here, but justice there will be. The conservatives, however, do not seem to believe that.
Martha, You are absolutely
Martha,
You are absolutely correct!!! Check-out the latest numbers on the huge rise of our fellow Americans living in poverty. What a disgrace!!!
Chuck from Minneapolis
How can you be more directly
How can you be more directly political than "catholics" in alliance. Let's look at those involved in the group and it's funding. The leadership is made up of Democratic party operatives and members of George Soros front groups. It's funding comes mainly from other Soros front groups. This group was started with the express goal of confusing the catholic electorate in order for the Democrats to make up the religious voters they lost to Bush. Brilliant political move, but not the least bit Catholic. Groups like this make NCR type Catholics pawns in their political schemes.
whether or not the healthcare
whether or not the healthcare reform bill allows abortions to be paid for with pur tax dollars in an importan issue.. but there are more important things at stake in this bill. The healthcare bill is about helping everyone especially those in need and that is what is being forgotten here. John Boccieri is a good catholic man who understands that the abortion issue can be settled late but that the opportunity to help thousands of americans like this may never come around again and helping the weakest of our society is what Catholicism is about!
I agree with the above
I agree with the above opinion!
Let me state for the record I am anti-abortion. However, I am also very tired of it being used as a pawn. The health care bill is necessary to assist those of us who need it most. I believe that does not include bishops. They are covered. I wonder how many of them would support holding up this bill if they were to lose their own coverage. How about the weakest among us? I know it is important to push for the rights of the unborn, but how about for once, recognizing the rights of the living to have an equal opportunity to continue to live. I also realize it's a complicated issue, but they need to recognize that it's not the only issue!
My organization (NETWORK, A
My organization (NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby) has considered Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good a strong and highly valued Catholic partner in the social justice arena since they were formed. We worked together on important initiatives such as the 2008 Convention for the Common Good in Philadelphia and numerous outreach projects. We look forward to their rebuilding because their presence is much needed today and in the future. Based on this article, I hope that justice activists everywhere will now realize that their investment in progressive Catholic groups is needed more than ever.
Thank you to all of you who
Thank you to all of you who have served and are still serving on the reducted staff for Catholics of Alliance. Your efforts to promote the broad range and rich heritage of Catholic Social Teaching has been well received in many places. Your co-sponsorship of the Convention for the Common Good made possible an experience bi-partisan and timely discussion of issues facing Catholic voters.
Pro Life Democrats is an
Pro Life Democrats is an oxymoron
How many Democrats that you support are Pro-life? How is Obama, a Democrat looking out for the Catholic population? Catholic colleges have to hide the symbol of Christ wherever he spoke. He supports building a Mosque near ground zero, but we can not display a Nativity scene in a public area. Democrats support giving condoms out in school, but we are not allowed to pray in schools or in any public venue.
The democrats support a heath care plan that helps millions?!? What a joke. I guess that is justified by the millions of fetuses that are aborted under government control.
Richard, My understanding
Richard,
My understanding would be that you feel that, if a party is, generally, pro-choice, than they cannot be pro-life. Is that correct? Yet, I see pro-life as not ending at birth. That is why, with so many of the anti-life policies of the Republican party, I have a hard time thinking of it a pro-life party. Pro-life is more than one issue.
I would ask, how is Obama not looking out for the Catholic population. Has he done anything to deny us our rights to worship, live and promote our beliefs? I am not aware that Catholic colleges have to hide the symbol of Christ wherever Obama spoke. Please tell me which ones and when. And, if there are any, tell me how it is Obama or the Dems. that are responsible of that.
The building of a Mosque near ground zero is not a constitutional question. The building of a nativity scene in a public area is. This is not a Democratic/Republican issue, it is a constitutional one.
Condoms can save life, especially, in countries where AIDS is an epidemic. I know that the Church's position is otherwise, but it is an area where I disagree. Are not disagreements allowed.
It was Jesus who said "Don't pray in public". As a result, I find it very curious that Christians are unable to understand that there is a gospel foundation to not having prayers in public schools. You may not agree of have a different take, but it is what Jesus clearly said. Does that not mean anything?
Proper health care is pro-life. The Health Care plan addresses that. Abortion is a different issue (I am with the many that agree that the Health Care plan does not cover abortion).
Richard, we do not live in a theocracy. We live in a pluralistic, democratic society; one founded on the principles of Christian values, but one that specifically does not embrace, nor deny any one religion. Please take some time to understand what that means. I think it is one of the things that make our country great. Yet, it requires tolerance and understanding. We, as Catholics, are not being denied our religious freedoms. If you have beliefs then live them and promote them. The President and the Democratic party are not stopping you from that.
This is one of the most
This is one of the most articulate, compassionate comments I have ever read! Thank you John David.
John David, when Obama spoke
John David, when Obama spoke at Georgetown University the White House asked that all Christian symbols be hidden. Unfortunately, the so-called Catholics that run Georgetown did not have the courage to say, "no, this is who we are, if you are uncomfortable, please do not come." Please list the anti-life policies of the Republican Party. If you are making serious allegation, please have the courage to be specific.
Milbo, thank you for pointing
Milbo, thank you for pointing out the incident at Georgetown. Yet, it is one incident. The poster worded his post in a way that indicated that this was a pattern by the administration, which, as far as I know, it is not. I would be interested to hear the other side; why the symbols were hidden (either from Georgetown or the administration). I may find that there was an acceptable reason or, perhaps, I would not agree with their thinking. I just don't know, as I don't have enough information. So, without hearing why, I think it would be a bit unfair for me to form a judgment.
However, there is, I believe, an important issue when reviewing the character of someone. I hear all the time an attempt to dismiss someone or some group because of one disagreement in one area. It usually is with those with whom we are predisposed to be against in the first place (someone or some group who supports the opposite political party, for instance). Then we use this disagreement to justify our contempt for them, as if it is rationally based. I think that is, more often than not, a mistake. In most cases, one incident is only one piece of the whole picture.
Given the respect The President has shown to people of faiths as well as the twists and turns of his own spiritual journey, my impression is that he is a man of deep and authentic Christian faith. Yet, he respects and understands our complicated pluralist society, maybe even the "many mansions" mentioned in the Gospels. Yet, there will always be those demanding, spiritual partisans, of all faiths, that will feel slighted and attack unless he fully capitulates to the prominence of their views. These, I believe, are the ones that are causing severe cracks in the foundation of our society, not to mention to the mystical body of Christ.
Your question about what I see as the anti-life policies of the Republican Party is a good one. It would include their opposition to universal health care, their support for the death penalty and workers rights to organize (the official position of The Church is closer to the liberal Dems. on these issues than to Republicans). I would also include their resistance to raising the mim. wage (as Congress raised their salaries, I believe, every year). And now the talk of the newer, more extreme elements gaining prominence within the party, I fear for those in the future who will be laid off and may not have access to unemployment insurance as well as the needed social security benefits for seniors of future generations - even talk of the anti-discrimination laws being repealed. Yet, at this point it is just some talk, but it does worry me.
Milbo, you have responded to my posts before and, it seems, that we tend to see things differently. I am OK with that. I certainly don't feel that I have an exclusive hold on "the truth", as the conversion process is a lifetime journey. And, I can often learn from those whose experiences and views are different than mine. Besides, this is a discussion forum designed to be a place where opposing views can be aired and discussed. Yet, I don't understand the tendency of many to automatically see those who see things differently as the enemy, as if we are at war with one another. I don't think it contributes to the value of the discussions to sneer or insult (done by too many from both the right and the left). For, instance, phrases like "so called Catholic" or "have the courage (which implies that one doesn't)", I believe, are unnecessary put downs. I think we need to be aware that it is important to show respect for anyone who may be sincere and is on his/her own journey to discover and share in the love and redemption which Jesus offers us.
Yet, I do appreciate your willingness to comment and share your perspective. And, as always, I wish you God's peace and blessings on your own journey to go deeper into the mystery of God and to know and share his love.
Peace be with you,
John David
Imagine the outrage strut of
Imagine the outrage strut of anti-Obama Catholics if Obama was speaking on a stage with Catholic symbols. I'm sure the the Right would have exploited and twisted this as Obama making an attempt to misrepresent himself as having the support of all of the leaders of the Catholic Church.
The White House denied that
The White House denied that there was any effort to specifically cover up religious imagery or symbols and noted that on the wall directly behind the president there are two religious paintings and there is other imagery throughout the hall.
"Decisions made about the backdrop for the speech were made to have a consistent background of American flags, which is standard for many presidential events. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false,” White House spokesman Shin Inouye told ABC News.
Georgetown officials said that the White House requested the backdrop and asked that all signs and symbols behind the stage be covered up.
“In coordinating the logistical arrangements for the event, Georgetown honored the White House staff's request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind the Gaston Hall stage in order to accommodate a backdrop of American flags, consistent with other policy speeches,” said Julie Green Bataille, associate vice president for communications at Georgetown.
There are many honorable
There are many honorable pro-life democrats. The US constitution demands the separation of Church and State for very good reasons. It opposes the heavy handed imposition of individual religious beliefs on others. Catholics need to win converts by persuasion as Jesus did. He never forced anyone to believe in HIM. Obama was respecting the constitution and serving all the people. There was a Mosque in the Twin Towers, and opposition to the building of a community center blocks away from the WTC was started by a Islamphobic bigot with a big mouth and a willing partner in republican FOX media to spread her hatred and poisonous venom. Democrats oppose Capital Punishment. Democrats work for equality in pay for men and women in the work place. Democrats respect workers' rights to receive fair rewards for their labor in the work place, while the GOP promotes the welfare of BIG OIL< Pharma and Wall Street. Democrats support "the social safety nets" that save lives each and every day for poor, sick and elderly americans. Single issue Catholics betray their faith by denying the full message of Jesus Christ to " Love God and love your neighbor".
Too bad this has to be so
Too bad this has to be so overtly partisan. Wouldn't it be better to stay away from identifying with political parties? Parties have their own agendas, which inevitably conflict with those of constituent groups. Compromise is possible, even necessary, with funding-allocation issues, but one compromises on moral issues only by compromising one's core values.
Settle the abortion issue
Settle the abortion issue later?
There are 100,000 innocent children lost every month. More children than at Hiroshima Nagasaki and Dresden combined, every month.
How many unborn children die
How many unborn children die because their parents can not afford to have health care? Do you care about them as much as the innocent unborn children lost every month?
Why can't we emphasize taking
Why can't we emphasize taking care of children AFTER they are born AS WELL AS before? Both/and, not either/or.
Ten times as many die of
Ten times as many die of hunger and simple health needs; that is like a Stalingrad every day! Got Milk.
400,000 innocent children
400,000 innocent children lost every month to starvation and disease
I come from a family that
I come from a family that voted Democrat for generations. My father was named after FDR. But the Dems of today are very different than the Dems of yesterday.
I hope that the church makes it very clear thaþ to vote for a candidate who does not oppose abortion is a sin. The death of so many innocents is not just one political factor to consider. It is wrong to kill a child no matter how old she is -- that is not negotiable. Abortion is a mortal sin and those who in any way promote it sin as well. This includes voters who overlook a candidates' pro abortion stance.and become the enablers of the politicians who use tax money to destroy young lives and fund other activities that the Catechism condemns as mortal sins.
If the Dems were truly righteous, the money would follow.I am heartened Þhat they are not given enough financial support--it means there is some intellectual honesty among Cathloic voters..
If you believe Þhat a single issue should not be the deciding factor in a candidate, then consider this: Hitler was a good administrator. There was only the one issue - that genocide thing-- that made him a monster.
Democrats repent. Stop lying to yourselves and become the party of righteousness. Then watch what happens.
This article points out
This article points out something that has disheartened this convert (15 years): The ones seizing control of the Church, including laity...meaning not all the blame is to be laid on ordained persons...are the ones with the money.
Power and money.
And we call ourselves "Christian"?
The whole world can see what is happening, but not the majority of ourselves. If we don't repent, I don't know what will become of us.
I am grateful to have these
I am grateful to have these web site resources and the information on progressives finally linking together to make a difference. I have long held that the reason the U.S. Government and the Vatican issue certain directives or move in certain directions is because the far right conservtive branches of both are organized and through their money have the ear of the government and Rome. High time we in the pew learn about organizations that represent our views in a meaningful way. And also, nice to know of Fr. Reese's whereabouts since he left America. Glad you are continuing the fight.
Liberal Catholic political
Liberal Catholic political organizations are not pro life but pro choice. Good riddance to them. They are not Catholic.
the Catholics United link is
the Catholics United link is wrong. it should be http://www.catholics-united.org/, not http://www.catholicsunited.org/
Thanks for the catch. The
Thanks for the catch. The link's been updated.
The link for the Adobe PDF
The link for the Adobe PDF version of this article is not working.
David Smith: I disagree with
David Smith: I disagree with you totally. You need to read a little about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. He worked tirelessly to inculcate Catholic values into political constructs. The Bible states that we are to be the "leaven" in the world. Where better to mix some leaven into a political construct than in the Democratic Party. I have been working within the Democratic Party as a Progressive and baffle people when I state I am conservative in terms of my faith and Catholicity. I do not see the two as mutually exclusive. Rather, my faith informs my actions within the Democratic Party. We cannot bring values into any organization by non-participation. Your statements above are totally false. Constituent groups WITHIN the Democratic assist in formulating the agenda. Your comments demonstrate your naivety relative to how in the trenches party workings happen. You are woefully misinformed.
“In this trying time that our
“In this trying time that our country is going through we Catholics and especially we students, have a serious duty to fulfill: our self-formation. [...]
We, who by the grace of God are Catholics... must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certainly have to fight to fulfill our program and give our country, in the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society, but to achieve this we need constant prayer to obtain from God that grace without which all our efforts are useless; organization and discipline to be ready for action at the right time; and finally, the sacrifice of our passion and of ourselves, because without that we cannot achieve our aim.”
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Turin, Italy, 1922
(1901-1925)
It has to be partisan,
It has to be partisan, because the republicans represent business interests and look at "people as collateral damage" in their quest to make their friends in Big Oil, pharma and Wall Street richer. They took the Clinton surpluses, gave big tax cuts to the richest in the country and has nearly destroyed the middle class by moving wealth upward. Trickle Down economics is and was Voodoo economics and it has harmed our country exponentially. Democrats are pro-life,they oppose capital punishment support health care for all. Democrats respect the constitution that dictates the separation of Church and State. And with very good reason. The Spanish Inquisition comes to mind, or the crusades perhaps another example of christian inhumanity to man. Democrats represent the highest objective for the fair treatment of workers in the work place. Equality of pay for work performed, safety in the workplace (which became a joke during the Bush administration)Family leave, health care . Single issue catholics are duped by the GOP to support their phony pro-life agenda, all the while cutting programs that support the poor, unwed mothers. They demonize single motherhood as destructive to FAMILY. There are really very good reasons to support democrats and hold them accountable. they do what Jesus commands: "Love they neighbor as thyself". I am so glad that Pelosi is in the House and Barbara Mikulski is in the Senate.
Thank you for your
Thank you for your intelligent and factual comments. You know, the far right controlled both houses for most of the Clinton administration as well as six years of the Bush. They had the vote to repeal Roe X Wade. They never did, did they? Bush used executive privilege more than any other president. Yet he never used it to do away with Roe versus Wade. What hypocrisy of those Republicans. Their wives and daughters always had save abortions before it was legalized, as they had the funds to make doctors compliant. They left abortion legal as a political tool to use against progressives.
They preach family values, but betray their works with actions by consistently voting against any proposal which would support family agendas. And the statistics show, that immoral conducts are astronomical high among "conservatives." Jesus had many accusatory works for the likes of those holier than thou.
Corrections: "..but they
Corrections: "..but they betray their words..." "Jesus had some accusatory words..."
although Filteau finds:
although Filteau finds: "George W. Bush soundly beat John Kerry" there was nothing sound about it.
Cleaver, playful, play on
Cleaver, playful, play on words, Charles. Yet, I can't remember to be certain, but wasn't it something like 51% to 49%. If it was, I wouldn't call that "soundly" beating someone.
What the world needs is Tea
What the world needs is Tea Party Catholics....
Also a Church that doesn't act like the Elites in Politics.
People have to deal with the Political Class, in Republicans, and Demacrates.
Also with Catholic Bishops, Archbishops, and The Pope.
The Archbishop in LA, mocking American citizens because of Arizona's law, SB-1070. Show me your papers! Grandstanding before God, and mainstreem press...
Yet US citizens like him have to show ID when buying groceries etc. Getting a drivers licence, having a bank account.
Then there's Archbishop Dolan in NYC. It's easy to compramise about the Ground Zero Mosque. Blame the people who lost thier loved ones in 9/11.
Oh there racist etc. When they have respect for the dead.
What about a Mosque in St. Peters Square, would the leadership in the Church preach peace & tollarnce? There is something called Righteous anger. But when US citizens feel it, they are nothing but serfs to the leadership of the Church.
We are going back to the Dark Ages! We have no leaders... Just differnt Monarchy...
There are no immigration offices in the Vatican. For a nation preaches about immigration shouldent there be one? Amnesty 4 ALL! Or NO AMNESTY AT ALL!
Practice what you preach, then pratice what you teach! The Holy See is in the same boat as the USA. So as the US fails, so will Vatican City!
Don't put down your neighbors garden, when your yard has overgrown weeds...
The tea party is the new John
The tea party is the new John Birch Society. Those people are being used by the filthy rich conservatives to get their power back. If this happens, they will find out, that things get from bad to worse for them. The conservatives created this horrendous mess the nation is in, by deregulation, and unjustified wars. They have bankrupted this nation by those actions during the prior administration, and when they where in control of both houses.
Now they are hate mongering, between the races and classes. All to get power back and enrich themselves more.
Isn't a 'progressive'
Isn't a 'progressive' Catholic the same thing as a cafeteria Catholic?
The Cafeteria is closing...
Have you read "JFK and the
Have you read "JFK and the "cafeteria bishops" under the same heading. Do you expect the cafeteria to close for them any time soon? I doubt it, as they have been picking, choosing, contradicting and reversing themselves for the past thousand years. Church history is full of those twists and turns.
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