Pope John Paul's Beatification ....

[JonL]

Why should they get preferential tax treatment? Let them pay their share of taxes, let them take the appropriate deduction for their charitable work, and let them say whatever they please. Just like the rest of us.

[piece-itpete]

We eat beef. Not only beef, but on Fridays to boot.

Pete

[finnbow]

What do you guys make of this?

"More than 75 professors at Catholic University and other prominent Catholic colleges have written a pointed letter to Mr. Boehner saying that the Republican-supported budget he shepherded through the House of Representatives will hurt the poor, elderly and vulnerable, and therefore he has failed to uphold basic Catholic moral teaching.

“Mr. Speaker, your voting record is at variance from one of the Church’s most ancient moral teachings,” the letter says. “From the apostles to the present, the Magisterium of the Church has insisted that those in power are morally obliged to preference the needs of the poor. Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress. This fundamental concern should have great urgency for Catholic policy makers. Yet, even now, you work in opposition to it.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12catholic.html

[piece-itpete]

Perhaps they should look to themselves.

I heard an excellent thing years ago - when Jackson 1st went to Washington, he voted to help something or the other. Later, he actually apologized to his constituents, because he realised it wasn't his place to force them, to decide for them what charity was worthwhile.

Our attitude towards government reminds me of Homer Simpsons' campaign slogan - 'Can't Somebody Else Do It?'

Pete