A moral agenda for Bush's final year

Friday, January 25, 2008

Latest Press Release: Super-Stereotyping in Tuesday's Exits

As the Bush administration enters its twilight year, it's a natural time to assess his administration's moral legacy. A group of five Catholic and evangelical leaders discussed just that on a recent press teleconference convened by Faith In Public Life and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. In addition to talking about the administration's legacy as it stands today, they spoke of what Bush can do over the next year to improve his record on domestic and global poverty, global warming, Iraq, and torture. Throughout his administration -- and in many cases long before -- faith groups have been engaged in these issues.

Global warming

The Evangelical Climate Initiative provides an extensive list of actions geared toward private individuals and families, church leaders, and activists. ECI statement signer Paul de Vries called upon President Bush to make climate change an urgent priority by, among other things, investing heavily in renewable energy.

Domestic poverty

Catholic Charities has a longstanding commitment to alleviating poverty in America's most impoverished areas, and a record of working with governments to deliver services. Father Larry Snyder, president of the organization, stated clearly that charity alone cannot meet the needs of the poor and eliminate poverty -- government must be part of the solution. There are myriad ways to participate in Catholic Charities' service for the poor.

Global poverty

Evangelicals for Social Action president Ron Sider called for a dramatic expansion of aid to poor foreign countries by the world's wealthiest nations, including particularly the United States. ESA provides a wealth of resources for activists looking to effectively engage public policy.

Iraq

Sister Anne Curtis of the Sisters of Mercy called on the president to end the war and step up investments in humanitarian assistance to the people it has displaced. The International Catholic Migration Commission can channel donations into Iraqi refugee relief programs.

Torture

Echoing the National Association of Evangelicals' statement on torture he authored, David Gushee demanded that the president reverse course on torture and require all US personnel adhere to the proscriptions on detainee treatment that apply to the army. The National Religious Campaign provides numerous avenues for engaging the issue, including an upcoming conference with next-steps training.