Republican Budget: John Boehner Says Bishops Miss Big Picture In Protesting GOP's Proposed Cuts

[Galraedia]

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) chastised Catholic bishops at a Wednesday news conference on Capitol Hill, saying they needed to look at the bigger picture after they complained that the GOP budget plan fails to meet "moral criteria."

The bishops had written letters to Capitol Hill, arguing many elements of the Republicans' budget proposal, such as cuts to food stamps, harmed the poor while the wealthy benefitted.

"At a time of great competition for agricultural resources and budgetary constraints, the needs of those who are hungry, poor and vulnerable should come before assistance to those who are relatively well off and powerful," stated one of the letters.

"Just solutions ... must require shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and fairly addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs. The House-passed budget resolution fails to meet these moral criteria," they declared in another document.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/republican-budget-john-boehner_n_1434678.html?ref=politics

[bluerum]

1. Which big picture is that john? Hmmmm?

The one where the rich get richer at societies expense?

John. That really is horribly un-xtian of you. Shame. The gates of hell await.

[Justice wanted]

7. beat me to that VERY question.

[sarcasmo]

2. No more tax expmet status, that should be the big picture.

[TxVietVet]

3. All of a sudden these conservanazi-loving bishops are worried about the poor and morals?

Give me a break.

[freshwest]

8. It doesn't mean a thing, until they stop giving Boehner and Ryan communion.

The church has denied communion to all these people:

Child with cerebral palsy denied (wonder if they will stop baptizing infants, too?):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1380357/Eight-year-old-cerebral-palsy-denied-communion-incapable-understanding-meant.html

Kennedy denied communion for following law on abortion:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/us/23kennedy.html

Bush okay when he says he doesn't like abortion but can't not follow the law, executes the largest number of prisoners yet, but that's forgiven:

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-250_162-610547.html

Cardinal Ratzinger is said to have order Kerry denied:

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/7/6/152916.shtml

Sorry for the wing nut sources, my search engine isn't what it used to be, or else the GOP bots are bumping their results up so high others don't show.

And you're right, the conservonazis won't do anything to Ryan or Boehner. They did it to others, not them...

[happyslug]

9. The bishops have ALWAYS been for aid to the poor, on that issue they are progressive

On Social Issues the Bishops are very conservative, and they support Vouchers. The support for Vouchers is more to provide additional funds to Catholic Schools then anything else.

Some times these two subjects come into conflict, for example the Bishops support Obamacare, they oppose the various efforts of the GOP to repeal it. On the other hand they want a clear exemption in regards to abortion and contraception. The Bishops oppose both Conceptions and abortion on moral grounds. Thus the reason the issue has NOT gone away, the Bishops oppose repealing Obamacare, but they do NOT want it to cover Abortions or contraception. Thus the bishops did NOT bring up their objections as Obamacare was being passed by Congress, but when it was passed the Bishops asked for a modification as to abortion and contraception. The GOP has taken this issue and is trying to use it to repeal Obamacare.

Whether you oppose or support the Bishops as to abortion and contraception is unimportant to see the inherent conflict, but it exists and both parties know it. The bishops do NOT want the poor harmed and they make that clear in their statement. On the other hand the bishops want no support, directly or indirectly to anyone getting an abortion or obtaining contraception.

Thus both parties are using the Bishops for their stand as to the issue of budget cuts, Democrats for the support in defeating these cut back in the Social Safety net, and the GOP trying to convince the Bishops these cuts are needed AND the Bishops should support them in exchange for cuts in Obamacare as to abortion and contraception.

The Bishops by this letter (A letter that just addressed the issue of the Safety Net, did NOT mention Abortion or Contraception), that they will oppose the budget cuts even if that means no change in Obamacare as to abortion and contraception. The GOP did NOT want to hear that have basically said that given that choice i.e. cutting the Safety Net, but keeping Obamacare as to abortion and contraception OR keeping BOTH the safety net AND Obamacare as to abortion and contraception, the bishops prefer the later i.e. The Bishops are saying they will accept the abortion and contraception parts of Obamacare IF that is the only way to prevent the cuts in the Safety net.

The GOP did NOT want to hear THAT MESSAGE and are trying to get the bishops to change their position. The Bishop's letter is clear, even as it does NOT mention Abortion or Contraception, the mere act of SENDING the LETTER as to the Safety Net, while the Bishops have also asked that Abortion and Contraception be removed from Obamacare, means given the choice the GOP is giving them, they decision is final. The big question is Obama, will he give into the Bishops as to Abortion and Contraception? That would remove any resistance the Bishops have to supporting the Democrats over the GOP as to the Budget Cuts.

Some time you have to read between the lines, here the key is the GOP Speaker of the House felt obligated to respond to the Bishop's letter, as oppose to just ignoring it. If the Bishops letter was window dressing, i.e. something sent by them to look good, the GOP would NOT need to respond to it. The GOP response clearly show the letter means something. The GOP thought they had the Bishops in their hip pockets over the issue of Abortion and Contraception in Obamacare, but it no longer looks that way. The key is the response to the letter, it seems to be clear to the GOP leadership that the Bishops have made a choice that the GOP was NOT counting on. Thus why this letter is so important, it shows that the GOP coalition, which includes many of the Bishops, is breaking up over these domestic budget cuts. Could we see a massive change to the Democratic Party do to these budge cuts? Abortion and Contraception are secondary issue to people economic needs and the letter is aimed at those needs and the GOP has no plans to help people in need. The bishops letter clearly shows that they will support aid to needy people over any restriction as or Abortion or Contraception if that is the choice (The Bishops would prefer removal of Abortion or Contraception from Obamacare AND keeping the safety net, but that option is NOT presently in the cards, so the Bishops are showing what they first choice is, and it is NOT what the GOP wants to hear.

[Grassy Knoll]

4. Hey Johnny, " Moral Criteria " IS the Big Picture.....

The war on woman
The war on the poor, would you like to borrow Mitt's Etch a Sketch ?

[goclark]

5. I thought the Rethugs had sole ownership of the Church

I thought they had the Catholic Church in their back pocket.

"must require shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and fairly addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs. "

The statement from the Bishop sounds like what President Obama has been saying all along.

[applegrove]

6. Hierarchy Wars!!!

[SpartanDem]

10. It's about time the CC has been far too silent on social justice issues

[LynneSin]

11. B...b.. b....b.... but we're saving the FETI!!!

Say what you will about the Catholics, you remove choice and that pedophilia stuff - they have some of the more liberal values when it comes to dealing with the poor and needy.

[Turbineguy]

12. Yes, the big picture.

Consider the fine work opportunities for gravediggers for example!

[DallasNE]

13. It Seems That The Big Picture Boehner Is Looking At

Is the 2012 election and the Bishops need to keep quiet on this and only focus on insurance coverage for contraception. But that is a one dimensional view and is only part of the big picture. The Bishops, on the other hand, are truly looking at the big picture when they talk about shared sacrifice, eliminated unnecessary military and other long term costs then conclude that the Ryan budget fails to meet the moral criteria. That sounds about right to me.

[ehrnst]

14. So, if they think contraception coverage doesn't meet 'moral criteria'

the GOP is all about letting them look over the legislation before it's finalized.

But when they start talking about GOP sacred cows like cutting the social safety net - then they're chastised.

[ck4829]

15. War on religion! War on religion! Oh what's that? A Republican is talking back? Never mind then.

[lovuian]

16. Yes Bishops the Republicans are not CHRISTIAN

they rob the poor to make themselves rich
and when you side with them
who betrayed you every step of the way
you are not following the teaching of Christ