"The poor must be spared." San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer has reminded the Governor and the Legislature that any increase in taxes or cuts in services to balance the $20 billion deficit must be fair and responsible. He calls for courage to protect the future of the state and not give in to special interests. The Archbishop also knows these leaders are not solely responsible for the deficit, they did not seize power; they were elected by "we the people" –including some Bishops. If voters continue to elect officials who fail their stewardship of tax revenues California will have more deficits, and the poor will suffer most.
"Faithful Citizenship" the document on political responsibility by the American Bishops gives Catholics and all voters sound guidance; it is based on human reason- (common sense) and foundational American values. The Bishops call Catholics to participate in public affairs with moral convictions- not instructions from any political party. They encourage voters to be active and contact legislators and the media and call for policies that spend tax revenues with prudence to protect all persons- especially the poor: End spending that exceeds population and inflation rate; correct unsustainable benefits that plunder the general fund; ease regulations that drive out business, jobs and the tax revenues that caused the budget deficit-and hurt the needy most.
The first responsibility of the State is to protect people–not buildings: California owns 22,272 buildings and structures. (Yes 22,272) They include the Los Angeles Coliseum, the San Francisco Cow Palace and numerous facilities for education, health, public safety, etc. The state can sell and leaseback some to reduce costs and protect services -as other states and the federal government are doing. California also has 240,579 state employees with the highest salaries in the nation- they total $19 billion a year. A four-day week could save $4 billion a year to protect vital services. This 20 percent cut is far less than 100 percent cut faced by two million unemployed in the private sector. The $88 billion state budget funds 500 departments, agencies and commissions; they all can reduce costs to help protect vital services: (The Community Colleges offer free classes that include ballroom dancing; while the Department of Health and Human Services must cut assistance to disabled and home bound elderly) This is disgraceful stewardship of tax dollars- and morally wrong.
Faithful Citizenship urges Catholics and all voters to become informed and address social needs with human reason-"not feelings:" Increasing taxes when unemployment is 12 percent will not help the needy. More taxes will drive out businesses, jobs and the tax revenues needed to fund human services. California taxes are among the highest in America, the state is ranked worst to do business and has the lowest credit rating. Increasing taxes is economic folly and ideological lunacy.
The Catholic Bishops are Americans, they teach Faithful Citizenship knowing that no other nation or economic system has done more to help the needy or to build a safer, just world. They also know that last year–Americans -individuals, businesses and foundations- contributed $307 billion to religious, health care, educational, social and environmental causes. Every dollar came from profits earned by risk takers and businesses competing in America's free market capitalist system. Faithful Citizenship strengthens the foundational values of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness that makes social justice possible.
NOTE: Mike DeNunzio is a California Commissioner on Aging and past San Francisco Commissioner on Aging-Adult Services He is President of the San Francisco State Building Authority, Chairman of the San Francisco Republican Assembly, a Communications Surrogate for the California Republican Party and past Chairman of the S.F. Republican Party.
