Black Lives Matter.
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Covenant Partners
    • Issue Statements
    • Governing Board
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative Pledge
      • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Public Education
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
    • NC No Torture
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?

Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director · March 17, 2017 · 2 Comments

The budget blueprint for 2018 released by President Trump on Thursday cuts a wide swath through programs that serve women, people of color, those of low income (for poor women of color, that would mean the same old same old), the arts, the environment, education, job creation, and science.  Couple it with the proposed health plan released by Congress, and it feels like some elected leaders at the federal level want to freeze, starve, poison, under-employ, and un-inspire a significant portion of the country’s population.

If a budget is a moral document, this one sends a clear message. The most vulnerable among us will be even more endangered. Our planet’s path to irreversible damage  will accelerate. Public education and well-funded science aren’t really important because thoughtful inquiry and evidence-based decisions aren’t a priority.

Jesus called us time and again to love one another. This is not a budget based in love.

Looking at 17 of the programs facing cuts, Time magazine reports that their total cost per American is $22.36. These include:

  • The Office of Violence Against Women, which works to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which largely funds efforts to help localities improve their policing.
  • The Legal Services Corporation, which helps low-income Americans afford legal services.
  • The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, which works against discrimination and in support of voting rights.

This does not include, however, cuts to heating assistance for those of low income, nutrition aid to pregnant and nursing women, and grants to low-income college students, among other things. International aid – the kind that allows us to build stability through compassion – also takes a hit.

So much in this proposal would impact most those who have the least that it is difficult to even absorb.

I spoke with a reporter today who asked whether churches might fill in the gaps if some of these cuts move forward. Could faith communities do more to help those in need?

I assured her that churches were already doing plenty.  But there is, and should be, a limit to the direct services they can offer. The federal government is supposed to provide for the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for Americans. It is hard to feel free when you are sick, hungry, cold, and poor, when your air and water are polluted, and research  that would improve lives by curing diseases is being reduced.

In my perfect world, churches will ultimately put themselves largely out of the direct service business by advocating for policies that limit the need for such programming.  While we continue to welcome the immigrant, nurture those in need, and care for creation, we also must make sure our government is fulfilling its obligation to every single one of us.

This is not the budget Jesus would propose. We need to let Congress know that.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Aging, Children & Youth, Domestic Violence, Economic Justice, Environment, Equality & Reconciliation, Food, Fracking, Good Government, Health, Healthcare Reform, Housing, Hunger, Immigration, Living Wage, Mental Health, Peace, People with Disabilities, Public Education, Race/Ethnicity, Refugees, Religion & Society, Taxes

Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

About Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Aleta Payne first joined the Council staff in the spring of 2001 as the Communications Associate. She continues to oversee that work along with development, represents the Council in several partnership efforts, and serves in other administrative roles, as well. Aleta is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in government and foreign affairs and spent much of her early career as a journalist. She has three young adult sons who continue to come home to Cary for dinner, or at least groceries, and two young adult terrier-mix dogs who keep the nest from feeling too empty.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

The Spirituality of Loneliness in Life’s Second Chapter
Senate May Still Vote on Health Care; Please Keep Calling
Revised Health Care Bill, Same Devastating Effects

Comments

  1. AvatarMick McKenna says

    March 26, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Aleta,

    as I read your letter in the N&O about the budget and all the folk it will harm, deliberate or otherwise, I felt a little bit of hope. Well written, well said! Hope is all we have some times!

    I am not a actively in a church but I your letter made me want to thank you. I recognize the great and sacred sentiments of Jesus and the Golden Rule. As a country so dominated by so many good and caring people of faith, (and other good people), it is so important that we reach out and support each other, and “the least of our brethren”, during these strange times.

    Keep up the good work! Spread hope!

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Aleta Payne, Deputy Executive DirectorAleta Payne, Deputy Executive Director says

      March 26, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      Mick,

      Thank you for your kind words. We really do need to support and encourage each other. Your words are an encouragement to me!!

      My best,
      Aleta

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Facebook

Partners in Health and Wholeness

Featured

If a Budget is a Moral Document, Then What Does this One Preach?

Latest Tweets

Just last week, our Governing Board adopted a resolution calling for the removal of Confederate symbols in public squares. As people of faith & conscience, we believe such monuments are a constant reminder of prejudice against black and brown people. >> ncchurches.org/2021/… pic.twitter.com/iGCX…

About 2 days ago

"Amanda Gorman in her inauguration poem 'The Hill We Climb' begins with the lines: 'When day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?'" Read more of this 2nd Sunday lenten reflection from Elizabeth Brewington >> ncchurches.org/2021/… pic.twitter.com/pgge…

About 2 days ago

"Perhaps it’s the pandemic that offers a fitting analogy to the condition of our politics as Americans try to recover from the trauma of Jan. 6 – when we came dangerously close to the onset of an anti-democratic Trump-ocracy." Read more from Steve Ford >> ncchurches.org/2021/…

About 2 days ago

FACT: Countries where maternal mortality rates have significantly dropped (~ -50%) in the past few decades (e.g., France, Germany, Sweden), have generous paid leave laws. #BlackHistoryMonth #Paidleave #BlackHealth pic.twitter.com/PgWW…

About 3 days ago

Call your Member of Congress and tell them paid leave is crucial to public health and economic recovery. Text paidleave (one word) to 844-955-2880 or visit bit.ly/39PWQde to begin. #AmericanRescuePlan #PaidLeave #BlackHealth

About 3 days ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

Dr. Satcher questioned the structures that have upheld health disparities in our communities. By laying the foundation for this work, we can continue taking meaningful action towards promoting a society where we can all thrive. #BlackHistoryMonth @HHSGov @Surgeon_General pic.twitter.com/zrw2…

About 2 days ago

Amen! #MindfulTogether twitter.com/cornerpr…

About 3 days ago

RT @MAHECwnc There has never been a better time to quit smoking and vaping. Protect your health by keeping your lungs healthy! #quitlinenc #covid19 #asheville pic.twitter.com/bKlC…

About 3 days ago

Check out this new resource from @DrugPolicyOrg challenging us to dig deeper and work together to uproot the drug war. uprootingthedrugwar.… #harmreduction #mindfultogether

About 3 days ago

Dr. Julian's work was instrumental to the public health community. We carry his passion as we continue reckoning with our past so that we may continue building the beloved community. Learn more about Dr. Julian's legacy at pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ju…. #BlackHistoryMonth @novapbs pic.twitter.com/JJsm…

About 4 days ago

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @greenthechurch Be sure to read Green The Church's COO Kim Noble's op ed, "#EnvironmentalJustice in Focus this #BlackHistoryMonth", in the Texas Metro News! @Kimrenay22 #Austin #DFW #Houston #Texas #SanAntonio #EJ ow.ly/mOtw50DGQnN pic.twitter.com/IPOO…

About 2 days ago

RT @ActionAidUSA To build a truly just, equitable & sustainable world, we need to fight for a new #socialcontract. That means: ✔️ Defending democracy ✔️ Fighting for climate justice ✔️ Building equitable food systems ✔️ Supporting women’s leadership. Learn more: bit.ly/2M8xT40 pic.twitter.com/fEWv…

About 2 days ago

RT @interfaithpower IPL is proud to be a signer on this letter. The U.S. must provide bold and socially just leadership to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change, including the threats to our economy- @sbhendershot twitter.com/RealBank…

About 2 days ago

RT @interfaithpower "This is all of our country, this is our mother. It's difficult to not feel obligated to protect this land" - @DebHaalandNM with a powerful reminder of what she believes in. Her passion is exactly what we need right now; the Senate must #ConfirmHaaland! #ConfirmClimate

About 2 days ago

RT @EPA EPA is proud to join our agency partners as we tackle the climate crisis and build a healthier, cleaner, more equitable future for all. Let’s do this! whitehouse.gov/brief…

About 5 days ago

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2021 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine