God and the poor

Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

In the New International Version of the Bible, caring for the poor is referenced 178 times. Jesus talkes about giving to the poor and abandoning your wealth and money in general appox 105 times. He talked about money more than He did Heaven and Hell combined. Jesus' messages about money seem less to do with having too much than with too little. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is concerned with people having too little of what they really need. That meant health for the sick, welcome for outcasts, food for beggars, and protection for women and children. Of all the parables in the Bible 11 of 39 talk about money.

Politicians on the far right talk of being "Christians" and following God's word when they make their policies for the American people. They are quick to quote one of their favorite passages from the Bible, one that fits their speech for the day. They conveniently leave out the passages that do not support their ideas. They give their groups catchy names like Values Voter Summit, Christian Coalition, the Conservative Christian's, and the Christian County Republican. Each speech given includes some reference to the Bible, Jesus or God. George W Bush loved to talk about being a Christian and doing God's work. He even stated that God talked to him and told him to run for President.  On June 10, 2003 the Washington Post quoted him talking about God's concern for the poor: "Jewish prophets and Catholic teaching both speak of God's special concern for the poor. This is perhaps the most radical teaching of faith, that the value of life is not contingent on wealth or strength or skill, that value is a reflection of God's image." But  during his presidency poverty increased by 3 million children. The Republican Congress working with George W passed a bill that would reduce the number of low-income families who receive housing vouchers by more than 150,000. 
The current Republican controlled House has proposed cutting the following programs that help the poor: 
$1 billion off Head Start, $1.1 billion off the Public Housing Capital Fund, $752 million from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, and $5.7 billion from Pell Grants. They were against extending unemployment payments but the only policy they would not budge on was extending tax cuts for the rich. Presidential canidate Herman Cain is getting a lot of attention for his 9-9-9 plan. His plan sets a fixed tax rate for ALL Americans and corporations. Our current income tax plan allows for low income families to pay little or no tax, these families will now pay 9% sales tax (plus any state sales tax), and 9% tax on all income. Cain's plan reduces taxes for the rich while raising taxes for the poor.  Michele Bachmann wants to take away employer health insurance and give a "tax break" so people can buy their own insurance. With the average cost of health insurance about $13,200 a year, that equates to about 50% of their income.(poverty level for 2011 was set at $22,350). This is 15% of all wage earners. Again the poor will suffer. House Speaker John Boehner recieved a letter from  75 Catholic academics and community leaders stating ""Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress." It is time the Democratic Party step foward and show the American people how just speaking like a good Christian does not matter, it is in your actions that show your true Christian/Jewish feelings.


Deuteronomy 15:7 “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.”




1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Corporations are people

"I refuse to believe that corporations are people until Texas executes one." unknown

Freedom being taken away by who?

The Tea Party is claiming that America has lost its way, that Obama and Democrats are taking away their freedom. They state that "workplace freedom" is being taken away because the democrats want to open the workers choice to join a union. If it is easier to join a group is that not one of the bases of freedom? Freedom to choose to join or not? Instead the Tea Party/GOP have been spending the last two years finding creative ways to suppress our freedom. In Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia the republican controlled Congress has decreased the time their constituents have to vote. Maine has done away with a policy that allows people to register at the polls on Election Day. Kansas, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have changed their voting rights to only people with state or federal approved photo ID's. In Tennessee their new law does not permit identification cards issued by county and city governments or private employers.

Across the county Republican controlled congress' are changing redistricting maps to boster the Republican vote. The US Justice Department has ruled that the new Texas redistricting map violated the Voting Rights Acts.

In Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler unsuccessfully tried to stop local county clerks from mailing ballots to registered voters because they did not vote in the last election. But Denver District Judge Brian Whitney ruled that the county clerks can mail ballots out because "It is irreparable to disenfranchise a voter,'' Whitney ruled. "It is a fundamental right to be able to vote.''

A movement has begun called "Occupy Wall Street". In a short month this movement has  spread across the United States, bringing out thousands of people to protest the state of America. Yet Republican Mayors, Governors across the country are finding ways to suppress these young, educated people. The Republican Mayor of Boston kicked out the protesters because he said the park needed cleaned, same in New York's Zuccoti Park. Where would we be if we allowed the controlling few to suppress the Civil Rights marches, the Boston Tea Party, the Stamp Act of 1765, Vietnam and Korea protests, the Tea Party "rallies", ERA marches. American was built on it's citizens speaking out when they feel that the controlling few are making the wrong choices.

Our freedoms are being taken away, but it’s not by the Democrats. The regulations that are being applied are for our safety, to keep our environment clean so we can enjoy its beauty for years to come