Texas bishops: no ‘disproportionate cuts’ to anti-poverty programs
November 16, 2011
The bishops of Texas are urging a Texas congressman who serves on the deficit “super committee” not to make “disproportionate cuts” to anti-poverty programs.
“Poverty has grown to unprecedented levels in the United States, afflicting some 46 million Americans,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio. “Government programs that help the most vulnerable and needy with affordable housing, adequate food, and basic health care should not be disproportionately targeted for cuts during these economically trying times.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- News Release: Texas Bishops Urge U.S. Rep. Hensarling to Protect the Poor in Deficit Reduction Measures (Texas Catholic Conference)
- Full text of letter (Texas Catholic Conference)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Thomas429 -
Nov. 17, 2011 2:54 AM ET USA
The economic status of the "poor" and the number of people who are now entrapped in the group have bot worsened in the 45 years that the majority of the "aid programs" inacted and managed by the government. I would say that this demonstrates the failure of these efforts. There is much that is immoral in empowering government to take the product of people who have worked, taken risks, and leaned skills to give it to others who have not.
-
Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Nov. 17, 2011 1:53 AM ET USA
I'd be delighted if such programs were cut in proportion to their share of the federal budget. But in the past, we've seen such programs "cut" only in the sense that they increase by a smaller amount than originally budgeted. The bishops must understand that entitlement programs are the false charity that have been bleeding the life out of our economy -- and destroying family life among the poor, as well.
-
Posted by: unum -
Nov. 16, 2011 7:43 PM ET USA
The Texas bishops' letter included a refreshing dose of economic reality, simply asking that programs for the needy should not be disproportionately targeted for cuts. They have a grasp of the economic problem faced by the Congress, unlike the social justice lobby that wants all cuts for social programs off the table.
-
Posted by: -
Nov. 16, 2011 6:00 PM ET USA
In our public school district over 64 percent of students get free lunch and breakfast. Obama has talked up free dinner as well. All children are given free breakfastin this school district no matter their income status. Have the Bishops considered the cost of this not only in money but in further dissolution of family responsibility and the importance of meal time together and lunches made by loving hands at home.
-
Posted by: fenton1015153 -
Nov. 16, 2011 10:48 AM ET USA
Business has to be enabled so that employment happens. How? By getting BIG government out of the way. Legislate severe cuts in governmental power and jobs will appear. The poor and elderly need to be assisted. Government can do that for the short term then families should accept the responsibility to care for their elders and poor. When BIG government takes over charity for the poor and elderly the fruit of charity dies in the hearts of the people.
