BUDGETS ARE MORAL DOCUMENTS:

Written by: Michael Neher on Jan 26, 2006 7:19 PM EST

A Campaign for Compassionate Priorities
Talking Points: December budget reconciliation process

Before Thanksgiving, the House of Representatives passed a $50 billion budget reconciliation bill that cuts vital low-income services. For a breakdown of the cuts, see Link The Senate, on the other hand, approved a $39.1 billion budget resolution for fiscal year 2006 on November 3. Cuts that would have directly hurt low-income people were dropped from the final bill. Over the next few weeks, leaders and conferees in the House and Senate will try to agree on what the final budget and tax bills will contain. Each chamber will have to approve the final bills, so there is still time to act.

Budgets are moral documents . Values and priorities should be reflected in a national budget just like a family budget.
Cutting vital social supports that help poor people make it day to day - food stamps, health care, child well-being - to cut taxes for the rich is contrary to biblical and moral principles.
Budget and tax bills that increase the deficit put our children's futures in jeopardy - and they hurt the vulnerable right now. This is not fiscally responsible, and it's not good political leadership.
America can do better than hurting and ignoring the poor while enriching the already wealthy. This season should call us to love our neighbors and strengthen communities and families.
I oppose the budget reconciliation billpassed by the House because it violates my moral convictions. TheSenate passed a budget bill that protected “the least of these.�
I oppose any final bill, or conference report, that cuts services for the needy.
Bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate are standing up for better budget priorities.
I oppose any ideas, proposals, or final bills with cuts to programs that help low-income families.

Tags: