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Woe to You, Legislators! (Jim Wallis)

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Recursion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 02:30 PM
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Woe to You, Legislators! (Jim Wallis)
Just saw this from Sojournors' Facebook page:

It is reported that Congressman Paul Ryan makes every member of his staff read philosopher Ayn Rand, the shameless promoter of the gospel of aggressive self-interest. This makes sense to me as I read Congressman Ryan’s new budget proposal. I wish he had his staff reading the Bible instead.

While widely lauded by conservatives, Congressman Ryan’s budget isn’t really about deficit reduction. It’s about choices — choices that will determine what kind of a country we become. And Paul Ryan has made the choice to hurt people who don’t have the political clout to defend themselves. Two-thirds of the long term budget cuts that Ryan proposed are directed at modest and low-income people, as well as the poorest of the poor at home and abroad. At the same time, he proposed tax cuts up to 30 percent for some of our country’s wealthiest corporations. Let me say that again: Two-thirds of the cuts come at the expense of already struggling people and families, while corporations posting record profits get tax breaks. In short, the most vulnerable members of society are being attacked by Ryan and his supporters. This makes them bullies.

You may think that my language sounds too strong: “bullies”, “corrupt”, “hypocrites.” But listen to the prophet Isaiah: "Doom to you who legislate evil, who make laws that make victims — laws that make misery for the poor, that rob my destitute people of dignity, exploiting defenseless widows, taking advantage of homeless children. What will you have to say on Judgment Day, when Doomsday arrives out of the blue? Who will you get to help you? What good will your money do you?" (Isaiah 10:1-3, The Message)

Ryan’s budget seems to follow, almost line by line, the “oppressive statues” Isaiah rails against. Ryan’s budget slashes health care for the poor and elderly by gutting Medicaid and undermining Medicare, and cuts funding for food stamps, early childhood development programs, low-income housing assistance, and educational programs for students.


http://blog.sojo.net/2011/04/14/woe-to-you-legislators/
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sinkingfeeling Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 02:34 PM
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1. Wonderful Biblical quote. Will use it in my next letter to my TP Rep.
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Recursion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 02:35 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. The major prophets are full of stuff like that
Isaiah and Jeremiah are well worth a progressive's time to read.
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patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 02:35 PM
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3. I like Jim Wallis. nt
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Recursion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 02:40 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. His wife is the basis of "The Vicar of Dibley"
That amuses me for some reason.
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patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 04:30 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. I will look for that. I could use something amusing & serious enough to represent
an important issue, the ordination of women.

Thanks for the tip!

:hi:
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Recursion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 04:32 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. Funny BBC series. Dawn French (whom I love)
A bit squicky/heartwarming for US audiences, but nice.
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OHdem10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 02:55 PM
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5. Are they all skilled in the"Virtue of Selfishness"?????
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MasonJar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-14-11 07:05 PM
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8. Great quoter. I believe I'll snd it to my Senators McConnell and Paul.
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