Federal Budget

Theological/Ethical Reflection

·           Jesus tells us nations will be judged by how they treat their most vulnerable. (Matthew 25:31-46).

·           “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” (Psalm 24:1) means the earth’s bounty is to be shared.

·            Treatment of the poor is a consistent Biblical measure of governmental justice.

·            Government responsibility for the common good includes a just sharing of resources; its responsibility for the general welfare includes protecting the most vulnerable.

·            Budgets are moral documents.  They show what we care most about and how it compares to other things we care about. (Wallis)

Current Situation

The disparity between rich and poor continues to grow.  Jobs pay too little to lift people out of poverty.  Growing percentages of those using church food programs are the working poor.  Yet Congress continues to reduce taxes on the wealthiest Americans thereby reducing the capacity of the federal government to provide services for our most vulnerable citizens.  FY2006 Budget

Added an additional $1.4 trillion in tax cuts (through 2015), increasing the national debt and reducing or delaying services that affect

·           People with severe disabilities

·            Children in low-income families needing health care

·            Families in need of child care as demands on public assistance recipients go up

·           Frail elderly at risk for losing Medicaid

·           The poor who will have to pay more and go through more red tape to get health assistance

FY2007 Budget Proposal

Continues policies that enrich the rich while hurting the poor

·            Proposed tax cuts added to existing ones for those with high incomes.

·           Fewer domestic dollars drive further cutbacks in  discretionary programs

·           Deep cuts in low-income housing, child care, Medicaid, Medicare

·            Elimination of programs such as

·            Commodity Supplemental Food Program

·            Preventive Care Block Grant

·           TRIO Talent Search program (which identifies talented minority students for college)

·            Community Services Block Grant     

What Will Help

·            Vigorously oppose any new tax cuts

·            Vigorously oppose cuts in programs that help the poor

·           Begin to restore progressive tax system and domestic programs

(3/2006)