The Death of Compassionate Conservatism

I had to share this with everyone. This comes from a Christian magazine, but applies to everyone. They make a VERY good point.


Hearts & Minds - The death of compassionate conservatism
by Jim Wallis

Last week, I spoke with other religious leaders at a pressconference in the U.S. Capitol, urging the House ofRepresentatives to oppose cuts in social services in theirbudget bill. When it was over, we walked to the rotunda to offera prayer for our nation and its leaders, that they would do theright thing for people in poverty. Suddenly, we were face toface with Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and took theopportunity to deliver our message directly to him. He listenedpolitely, but offered little response.

The House is scheduled to begin debate tomorrow on its budgetbill, which includes $54 billion in cuts. On the table are cutsof $9.5 billion in Medicaid - by requiring co-pays for pregnantwomen and children for the first time; $8 billion in fostercare, child support enforcement, and aid to the disabled; and$844 million in the Food Stamps Program, which would prevent300,000 people from receiving food stamps. Forty thousandchildren would be cut from reduced-price school lunches.Lawmakers intend to follow these with a further cut of $70billion in taxes that will primarily benefit the top 3% oftaxpayers. The message from Congress is that in response toHurricane Katrina, we're going to cut services for the poor, cuttaxes for the rich, and increase deficits for our children and grandchildren.

These plans for deep cuts to social supports, paid for by taxcuts for the wealthiest, are contrary to the national prioritieswe need to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We need strongmoral leadership in Congress, especially during this time ofwar, record deficits, rising poverty and hunger, and naturaldisasters. Cutting food stamps and health care that meet thebasic needs of poor families is an outrage. Cutting socialservices to pay for further tax cuts for the rich is a moraltravesty that violates biblical priorities. The House leadershipseems to be saying they literally want to take food from themouths of children to make rich people richer. If this ideologyand politics of rich over poor prevails and our leaders fail togovern from a set of moral values, then the religious communitymust conclude that compassionate conservatism is dead.

As this battle for the budget unfolds, I am calling on membersof Congress, some of whom make much out of their faith, to startBible studies before they cast votes to cut services that willfurther harm the weakest in our nation. They should focus on thegospel imperative - what Jesus tells us about our obligations tothe "least of these." Some of them have heard the slogan "Whatwould Jesus do?" Now they should ask, "What would Jesus cut?"Budgets are moral documents, and they reflect our nationalpriorities and values. In the name of social conscience, fiscalresponsibility, equal opportunity, protecting our communities,and the very idea of a common good, the upcoming budget voteswill be closely watched by people of faith.

I urge you to read the alert that follows, pick up your phone,and call your member of Congress. Tell him or her to showpolitical will in standing up for the least of these, as Jesusreminds us.

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Call Rep. Simpson now, toll-free:
(800) 426-8073 (Thank you, American Friends Service Committee).
The House of Representatives will vote on this immoral budgetproposal as early as Thursday of this week, and a one-minutecall from you and others could mean the difference between a"yea" or a "nay" vote from Rep. Simpson. Dialingthe number above will get you to the Capitol switchboard. Whenyou reach an operator, ask for Rep. Simpson, andwhen connected, say something like:

"As a person of faith from Idaho, I urge Rep.Simpson to vote "no" on this immoral budget billthat cuts $54 billion in vital services to vulnerable people,including Medicaid, foster care, food stamps, and child support.These cuts will hurt survivors of Katrina and countless workingfamilies. Along with proposed tax cuts for the super-wealthy,these are the wrong priorities at the wrong time."