Our goal is to offer, from the faith community, an alternative vision to the one President Bush will present in his address. A vision consistent with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community. A vision that is pro-economic justice, favors a real and consistent ethic of life, and understands the use of military force as a last and repugnant option in foreign policy.
The day after the SOTU, the House of Representatives will vote on a proposed budget bill that cuts billions in funding for life-giving social programs. We must highlight the stark moral contrast between the words of hope and promise that the president will no doubt offer and the utter lack of hope and compassion this bill shows to America’s most vulnerable.
Just yesterday afternoon, Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT) announced that he will oppose the budget bill, stating: "I opposed the original House budget in November because I knew it could be, and should be, improved. The budget that was drafted in the House-Senate Conference was a better budget and I voted for it in December. Since then I have met with and listened to a wide range of constituents… The consensus is that the bill, despite the improvements, remains unsatisfactory. Consequently, I have decided to vote against the budget on February 1. Representation is only effective if the elected official listens to the people. In a democracy the government must serve the people, not reign over them. I have listened and concluded that the budget, as it stands, falls short."
Our SOOV Watch is an opportunity for your progressive, prophetic vision of our nation’s values and priorities to be heard in your community.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
State of Our Values Watch Site Change
The site for Tuesday evening's event has changed because the group size has outgrown our living room. We will be meeting at the Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville NC 28791-2301. Plan to be there around 8:00 PM for discussion and light refreshments; the president's address is at 9:00 PM, followed by brief discussion and plans for action.
Monday, January 23, 2006
State of Our Values Watch
I have signed up to organize a State of the Union watch party on Tuesday, January 31. People of faith will be watching to see if our values of justice and compassion will be represented. What will President Bush have to say about overcoming poverty and creating peace? We'll be discussing that and inviting local media to cover our responses. You can sign up to attend the event at: http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/Sojo/event/distributedEventSearch.jsp?distributed_event_KEY=133
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Bush explains proposed changes in Social Security.
a verbatim quote from a Q&A session after a speech last year:
WOMAN IN AUDIENCE: 'I don't really understand. How is the new plan going to fix the problem?'
Verbatim response: PRESIDENT BUSH: Because the -- all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those -- changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be -- or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the -- like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate -- the benefits will rise based upon inflation, supposed to wage
increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those -- if that growth is affected, it will help on the red.'"
WOMAN IN AUDIENCE: 'I don't really understand. How is the new plan going to fix the problem?'
Verbatim response: PRESIDENT BUSH: Because the -- all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those -- changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be -- or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the -- like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate -- the benefits will rise based upon inflation, supposed to wage
increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those -- if that growth is affected, it will help on the red.'"
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Would religious fundamentalists do this for anyone?
CNN.com - Kenyan convicts give up lunch for famine relief - Jan 1, 2006
This is an impressive story to begin the new year with. Once again, I would challenge the right wing and religious fundamentalist extremists to focus on this worldwide problem. Rather than continuing their ranting and raving over issues that do not matter and are not a priority of Biblical Christianity, look at what was a priority to Jesus Christ. (Read the July 20 and 21,2005 postings on this subject.)
This is an impressive story to begin the new year with. Once again, I would challenge the right wing and religious fundamentalist extremists to focus on this worldwide problem. Rather than continuing their ranting and raving over issues that do not matter and are not a priority of Biblical Christianity, look at what was a priority to Jesus Christ. (Read the July 20 and 21,2005 postings on this subject.)
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