Gerald D. Moran – 2/6/11

This page was last updated on February 6, 2011.

Do more for poor than pray for them; Gerald D. Moran; Beaver County Times; February 6, 2011.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Thursday I watched the National Prayer Breakfast on C-SPAN, heard President Barack Obama discuss how he came to Christian faith through his work with Christian pastors and laypersons, and told how his faith guides him to help the most vulnerable in communities.

“This event is by Christians of both parties but has been spearheaded passionately by Christian Republicans.”

[RWC] Mr. Moran appears to imply Christian Democrats support the NPB less than “Christian Republicans.”

“Friday I read in The Times ‘Domestic agencies face GOP cuts’ and find that the GOP, which just led the battle to not cut taxes for the rich, is going to ‘slash domestic agencies almost 20 percent,’ which would cause widespread furloughs of federal employees, force people out of subsidized housing, reduce service to national parks (which had their highest attendances last year), and give less aid to schools, police, and fire services.”

[RWC] Man, the “tax cuts for the rich” BS again? Quoting the Tax Foundation, “Despite the charges of critics that the tax [rate] cuts enacted in 2001, 2003 and 2004 favored the ‘rich,’ these cuts actually reduced the tax burden of low- and middle-income taxpayers and shifted the tax burden onto wealthier taxpayers.” The TF further stated, “7.8 million low and middle-income families had their entire income tax liabilities erased by the cuts.” Based on 2008 income tax data, the top 1% of filers paid 38% of the total and the top 5% paid 59%.

Finally, the recent battle on this topic was not about tax cuts. It was about extending tax rates for everyone that were the law of the land since 2001 and 2003. Why does Mr. Moran want to pick on “the rich” to have their taxes raised? Does he believe “the rich” deserve what they earn less than the rest of us? I know nothing of his financial status, but could Mr. Moran be jealous of “the rich” and believes increasing their tax rates is a good way to get even?

Perhaps in a future letter Mr. Moran will tell us where in the U.S. Constitution it provides support for the federal government providing “subsidized housing” and “aid to schools, police, and fire services.”

“In the Old Testament just before the Babylonians attacked Judah, prophets pointed out that Judah had to repent of their sins against the poor, their lack of mercy, justice, and their inability to walk humbly with God.

“They failed, and God sent in the Babylonians and they were taken into captivity.

“When we give to the poor, we lend to God and his rewards are great. See Proverbs 19:17.”

[RWC] According to my copy of The Bible (Douay Version), Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed.”

I have to concede it’s been awhile since my eight years at St. Titus grade school and four years of high school CCD classes, but I don’t recall anything about The Bible or Jesus advocating government taking from one family to give to another. I think it’s fair to conclude Proverbs 19:17 is about voluntary personal behavior, not about government programs. There’s nothing altruistic or charitable in “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Finally, Mr. Moran appears to imply we should “give to the poor” because the “rewards are great.” I don’t recall learning the reason for helping someone is to reap rewards.