Lotteries & Social Justice

As state budgets get tighter, legislatures and governors are often tempted to expand state-sponsored lotteries and other forms of gambling in order to raise revenues. Their rationale is that it is not a tax, that people who pay into state-sponsored gambling schemes are doing so voluntarily and with the knowledge that only about half the proceeds go to winners and the other half going into the state's bank account. Since it is voluntary, it is a politically favored way to raise government revenues

       Yet, the lure of big payouts is more enticing for people who earn the least amount of money, making it problematic from a social justice point of view. (Think about it: why would someone who is already worth a few million dollars pay anything for the chance to be worth a few million more? Thus, the wealthy who can afford a few more dollars in tax payments each week do not "volunteer" as lottery players.) Many studies have shown that lower-income persons on average spend a higher percentage of their income on lottery tickets than middle-income or upper-income persons. The net result is that lotteries become a sort of regressive tax, taking a higher percentage from the poor than others.
       Although there are many other reasons against state lotteries, the regressive nature of the "take" is most clearly against Catholic social teaching of option for the poor and vulnerable.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
   

Earthquake in Haiti, Solidaity, and Social Justice

It is because we are human that we are moved by the horrendous things that we see on television and in the newspapers about the human suffering in Haiti these days. The death toll continues to climb and the survivors strive to scratch out an existence, looking for water, food, health care, and protection from the heat in a country where those essentials were difficult to come by before the earthquake. 

       Fortunately, so many people throughout the world have come to the aid of the people of Haiti, through monetary donations and other aid. In situations like this, the Catholic social teaching on solidarity seems something that we feel deep within ourselves. As the US bishops have said, "We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world." Also, "A parish reaching beyond its own members and beyond national boundaries is a truly 'catholic' parish." 

       Additionally, though, the bishops remind us, "We respond very generously when the network news tells us of hurricanes and famines, but how will we help those victimized by the often less visible disasters of poverty caused by structural injustice, such as debt, ethnic conflict, and the arms trade? Our Church and parishes must call us anew to sacrifice and concern for a new generation of children who need food, justice, peace, and the Gospel." Therefore, we should be resolved to not only help restore Haiti to where it was before the earthquake, but we should go beyond that and help lift them out of the suffering that they had been experiencing.

       For more information on Catholic social teaching, go to www.usccb.org/sdwp/catholicteachingprinciples.shtml.

       To make a donation to the Catholic relief effort in Haiti, go to www.crs.org. The need is great — please be generous!

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
   

Abortion & Social Justice

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"  (Jeremiah 1:5) 

This coming Friday, January 22, is another anniversary of the US Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision to legally permit abortion in the US. The Catholic Church has always taught that the destruction of a fetus of any age is gravely wrong. It's part of our consistent teaching on the respect and dignity of the human person and a logical extension of our preferential option for the poor and vulnerable: can anyone be more vulnerable than the human life that is so totally and solely dependent on one other person for his or her very existence?

       Please remember the unborn in your prayers this week; join with others in prayer or action; do something to support those in a crisis pregnancy; and learn more about Church activities in this regard by checking out www.usccb.org/prolife/index.shtml. 
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
  

January is "Poverty in America Awareness Month"

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has designated January as "Poverty in America Awareness Month." The Campaign's web site www.povertyusa.org says on its front page, "It’s time to end poverty in America once and for all. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) invests in community-based solutions — that know no racial or religious boundaries. We support self-sufficiency and self-determination as the best strategies for change. We support projects that break the cycle of poverty for good."
       The statistics and other facts about poverty here in this country are surprising and disturbing. To see a short video on just what a family at the "poverty line" is faced with, check out the "poverty tour" at http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour.htm.
       The US Catholic Church (through CCHD) is very involved in moving Americans out of poverty. To see some of the success stories, check out http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/stories.shtml.
       Finally, don't miss the page on on you can get involved. It's at http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/involved.shtml. 

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.