Families have a stake in coming vote

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, family life is "an initiation into life in society." Therefore, "the family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped and the poor....Where families cannot fulfill their responsibilities, other social bodies have the duty of helping them."

TAXES

The bishops specifically supported:

* "effective incentives for charitable giving;

* "an earned income tax credit that ensures that working families will not have to raise their children in poverty; and

* "a tax code that reflects traditional Catholic teaching that tax rates should reflect a person's ability to pay."

Bishop John Ricard, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and a member of the U.S. bishops' domestic policy committee, also wrote an article explaining that "tax reform is needed to raise the necessary revenue and to provide fairness for vulnerable families....We continue to advocate major reforms in health care, tax policy, child support, welfare and other areas....Some of these reforms will require new resources now, but will over time reduce government spending."

On this topic, Ms. Paulukonis issued a challenge: "As Catholics listen to what political candidates say about taxes, I hope we go beyond, `What's in it for me?' and ask instead, `What is the just way to provide for the common good and the good of those who most need help?'"

SOCIAL SECURITY

The board defended Social Security, stating that it is "the largest and one of the most successful social programs in the United States. It provides an effective, dignified way for Americans to honor their responsibility to provide basic income security and medical insurance [through Medicare] for the elderly, persons with disabilities and their dependents."

In the same statement, the bishops said they believe "government should participate in creating a comprehensive program for insurance against illness, disability, unemployment and old age....It is very important that all Americans support the [Social Security] system, have confidence in it, and work constructively to make it a fair and sound program."

Ms. Paulukonis quoted the Book of Acts, which recalls that the first Christians "had all things in common," and "would sell their property and possessions, and divide them among all according to each one's needs."

Social Security, she said, reflects that ideal. "As voters, we must remember that social policy is more about sharing well-being than securing entitlements," she said.

She suggested asking candidates, "How can we provide reliable, adequate income for workers and their dependents in the event of disability, retirement or death, being particularly mindful of those who are unable to provide for themselves?"

THE ECONOMY

"The values of our faith call us to shape economic policies that protect human dignity, promote strong families and create vibrant communities," he said. "In our religious tradition, the fundamental moral test of any society is how the poor, the weak and the vulnerable are faring."

The U.S. bishops' pastoral letter "Economic Justice for All" pointed out that "we judge any economic system by what it does for and to people, and by how it permits all to participate in it. The economy should serve people, not the other way around."

Ms. Paulukonis posed two questions Catholic voters might ask political candidates:

* "How do your proposals enable families to obtain decent housing, a good education and adequate health care?" and

* "What do you see as the balance of responsibilities among individuals, families and various levels of government?"

The economic prosperity Americans are currently enjoying "highlights the extent to which our society is driven by money and how the bottom line is not family-friendly," Ms. Paulukonis added. "Parents are working long hours to purchase luxuries or out of fear of losing their jobs. What is the `good life' and what is it worth?"

EDUCATION

Pope John Paul II recently reiterated the need for strengthening the educational system. In a September meeting with Uruguay's ambassador, the Pope said that the strength of families and education are essential to every country's common good. Since parents are primarily responsible for their children's education, he added, the rights of families must be supported.

Candidates for public office should be able to explain what initiatives they support "to ensure that all children receive a good education, no matter what school they attend," Ms. Paulukonis stated. However, "no amount of money the government invests in education can make up for parental investment."

THE MEDIA

"Deregulation has left consumers largely without government as an ally in promoting better media in this period of vast developments in their influence," the bishops stated.

However, they cautioned, "government censorship across a broad range of media is not feasible under our Constitution, nor is it desirable....Government's role should be to use its good offices to act as a catalyst for industry self-regulation and for consumers' expression of their rights."

On World Communications Day 1994, Pope John Paul II invited public authorities to "set and enforce reasonable ethical standards for programming which will foster the human and religious values on which family life is built, and will discourage whatever is harmful. They should also encourage dialogue between the television industry and the public, providing structures and forums to make this possible."

Ms. Paulukonis said that she would ask candidates, "What is the federal government's role in controlling print and electronic media, and how do you propose to support parental responsibility for raising children and shaping their values in our media-shaped culture?"

Again, she noted that the responsibility for regulating the media rests on both the government and families themselves. "It is easier to talk about what government should do to control the media than it is to accept responsibility for unplugging ourselves from TV, cell phones and the internet," she said.

CONCLUSION

In addition, she said, voters shouldn't accept campaign rhetoric.

"Think about, `Am I just hearing pat answers?' Look at the leadership qualities of this person: a vision and an ability to balance responsibilities. Leaders hold themselves accountable -- and also the people with whom they serve."

(10-19-00) [[In-content Ad]]