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.