House Committee Approves Fair Compromise on Minimum Wage

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved giving some tax breaks to businesses as part of the federal minimum wage raise. The Washington Post reports…

“...the committee agreed to expand and extend a handful of tax credits and deductions worth $1.3 billion over 10 years. Those provisions would be offset by adjustments to the tax code that would raise a similar amount. The full House is expected to vote on the measure later this week, Democratic aides said.”

The House committee’s business tax cuts are far smaller than the $8.3 billion in tax breaks included in the Senate’s minimum wage legislation. The House originally passed a “clean” minimum wage bill. But the Senate rejected such legislation, and passed a minimum wage bill filled with give-aways to business. The House and the Senate bills must be reconciled in conference in order for the minimum wage raise to move forward.

Intergenerational Worship Ideas

The Mass Bay District sponsored a conference on intergenerational worship this past weekend as part of its Learning Congregation program. The conference highlighted worship models that integrate children and adults.

One of the important insights of the meeting was that children and adults participate in similar and voluntary ways in a strong intergenerational worship.

The morning worship included a song led by KidSing, a children’s chorus from the First Parish in Bedford. I was moved by this group, as they started the worship off with enthusiasm and joy. I was also impressed by their talent, since I rarely see children have a role in leading UU worship.

Later in the day there was discussion about why adults clapped following the KidSing song. (As a non-clapper who had felt slightly guilty, I was glad someone brought this up). One person emphasized that it is important for adults to respond to children leading the worship the same way they respond to adults leading worship, i.e. with reverent silence following the musical pieces. (However, another participant noted that UU adults often clap following adult musicians as well!)

An important point was also made by one of the presenters (Tracy Duncan, DRE at First Parish of Sudbury) about how stories are told during worship. She emphasized that story time should not be focused specifically on children, and that it should not be used to “make a spectacle” of them. Most adults do not like be put on display during worship, and neither do children. Ms. Duncan explained that when she tells stories in intergenerational worship, she does not generally invite children to come to the front of the sanctuary. One exception to this is when there is something children need to see that they cannot from the pews. Another is when children and adults alike are invited to play a role in a story being told to the congregation, a process Ms. Duncan modeled during the morning worship.

Religious Opposition to President’s Budget

Liberal religious organizations have come out in opposition to President Bush’s proposed 2007 budget. Unitarian Universalists should join them in speaking out against this cruel plan.

The president’s proposed budget would push low-income Americans into deeper destitution, by cutting away at food stamps, Head Start, Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) and other programs for children. This is a vicious attack on poor children, and on the belief that all children deserve basic human services.

The American Friends Service Committee declares, “The proposed FY08 budget sets a course toward deepening the nation’s investment in war over
diplomacy, walls over community-based development, and tax breaks for the wealthiest over the long-term needs of children, elders, and others who are particularly vulnerable.”

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism states, “The budget is the great moral document of our nation, and its priorities should reflect the values of a responsible and compassionate society. Unfortunately, the President’s FY 2007 budget falls shamefully short of this goal…
...We are taught in the Bible to open our hands to those in need, not harden our hearts to our kinsmen. If the federal budget is to reflect these values, the U.S. Congress must craft a budget that cares for America’s children, elderly, sick and poor.”

Unitarian Universalists should take a strong stand in opposition to this budget proposal. This is a plan that denies the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and attempts to deprive children and low-income families of basic human services.

Unitarian Universalists should also note that the budget promotes abstinence-only education, with a $28 million increase in funding, even as these programs are inaccurate and inadequate.

The secular Coalition on Human Needs provides in-depth analysis of the President’s proposed budget as well as links to commentary from other organizations.