With Justice For All?

This is an exciting time. But it is also a difficult time. Because as our nation goes to the voting booth tomorrow, we'll be choosing the leadership which will be making important decisions which will not only shape our lives, but lives of people the whole world over.

What an awesome responsibility.

People have much to say about this -- people who have more time and expertise than me -- but let me just commend two websites to you as you go about making your prudential judgment on who is most fit to lead our nation. Who will do the most good for human dignity? Who will lead us towards justice and peace? How can be once again be "one nation under God with liberty and justice for all"?

I know, for Catholics, abortion is a deal-breaker. It was for me in 2000 and 2004. But we also have to keep in mind that being Pro-Life means protecting life in ALL its forms: in the womb or a baby; as an immigrant or prisoner; old or young; healthy or sick; fat or skinny; gay or straight; rich or poor; white or black or brown or whatever; American or not.

Abortion is ONE life issue -- and to be honest, it's not one that Republicans have a terrific record on. What has George W. Bush done to lower the rate of abortions in this country? And how has his "respect for life" been evident in the torture, death penalty, immigration policies, and the war in Iraq which have taken place on his watch? And if Republicans do care so much about the most vulnerable lives (those in the womb), where are their social programs to help the children born into poverty?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have enjoined Catholics to look at the BIG picture and NOT be single-issue voters. Their document on "Faithful Citizenship" speaks to this and I have posted the link below.

www.faithfulcitizenship.org

I also recommend to you this document from Catholics United for the Common Good. It's another helpful way to consider the big picture when it comes to being Pro-Life.

http://www.catholics-united.org/files/pro-lif e-means-all-life-en.pdf

In the end, however, we cannot go to the polls tomorrow, make our selection, and think our job is over. Whomever is elected and then inaugurated on January 20th, 2009 has a long road ahead of him. And that will be just the start of our work. We need to elect a president who will work with us to promote the common good. And we cannot forget that our responsibility extends far beyond the election season.

And we cannot forget how urgent our responsibility is today. Today, the richest one percent of U.S. households account for more than one-third of the nation’s net worth, more than double the combined wealth of the bottom 90% of Americans. A select few continue to enjoy prosperity, while more than half a million Americans remain homeless, 36 million live below the poverty line, and 47 million are still without access to health care. The United States may claim to be “one nation,” but it hasn’t delivered “liberty and justice for all.”

Realistically, it's up to us -- not a single political candidate -- to create change. So vote for the person who will help you make that change. And then, let's get to work to ensure liberty and justice for all.