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U.S. Budget Priorities |
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Check out the latest! IHMs Lend a Hand to Habitat - By Mary Agnes Ryan, IHM The Issue Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB says that a budget is a "country's theology walking." The federal budget is a moral document that shows what is important both in the near term and in the future as it plays out. Catholic Social Teaching tells us that the needs of people who are poor and vulnerable should claim the highest priority. Our mounting monetary deficit is the topic of much debate. If defense, homeland security and international affairs are funded at the proposed levels, then "domestic discretionary programs" would have to be cut by about $66 billion to offset the deficit. These cuts would affect programs in areas such as education, food stamps, veterans' affairs, health care and housing. This comes at a time when poverty is rising and the number of Americans without health insurance is climbing. The current budget makes very substantial cuts in domestic spending while calling for large additional tax cuts. However, many analysts point to these tax cuts as the reason for the growing deficit. Almost half (48%) of the increase in the deficit is due to tax cuts. Spending on all domestic programs accounts for only 15% of the deficit increase. A just budget should promote the common good by cutting all unnecessary military spending, restoring a fair tax structure, and providing economic security for all people. Prayer Materials If you don't have Adobe Reader, you can download the latest version here.
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