What are the 150 programs?

Although the administration trumpeted 150 as the number of programs it wanted to eliminate or curtail, there was no specific list of those programs buried in the 2,108 pages of Orwellian language initially released to the public and Congress. Finally, at the request of Iowa Republican Jim Nussle, the White House released a 237-page list in one of their trademark Friday afternoon news dumps. But unless the reader has detailed knowledge about those 150 programs, it is difficult to assess the legitimacy of the administration's statements about those programs. (WH)

The illusion of fiscal prudence is based on cuts that are largely symbolic, with only $17 billion of discretionary program savings in a $2.6 trillion 2006 budget. The bottom-line numbers are also deceptive since costs are not included for the Iraq and Afghan wars (CBO estimates $350B over the next 10 years), the privatization of social security (unknown costs in the trillions), or continued suspension of the Alternative Minimum Tax (CBO estimates $700B over the next 10 years). (CBPP)

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with destruction.
Their throat an open grave;
with their tongue they speak deceit.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their tongues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you. (Psalm 5:9)

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. (John 3:20)

The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. (Proverbs 20:23)

Taxes

The essence of Republican appeal is reduced taxes. All talk of reform, increasing efficiency and cutting waste is euphemistic language to cover the hard, narcissistic truth that Republicans don't want to pay taxes, regardless of the effect on society.

Contemporary Biblical translations contain few explicit references to taxes, although they are presented as obligations rather than burdens. The apostle Paul endorsed respect for government:

It is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect, if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:5)

Since church and state were more integrated in Biblical days than they are now (yet?), perhaps the better Biblical analogy is offerings, with honor given to those who give more (as a proportion of income), not less.

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Matthew 21:1)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)

He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 17:5)

Debt

Revenues as a share of the economy are now lower than in any year in the 60s through 90s. (CBPP) The 2006 budget deficit is so large that if the government cut everything except defense, homeland security and entitlements like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the deficit would still be $75 billion. We simply cannot cut our way out of our debt problem. (WaPo)

Biblical references view financial debt negatively and debt is used as a metaphor for committment, not irresponsibility.

Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. (Proverbs 22:25)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

The Environment

The 2006 budget proposal allocates $7.6 billion for the EPA, down from $8.0 billion in 2005. Most of the administration's attack on the environment comes through underfunded agencies that can not or will not enforce existing environmental regulations, usually to the benefit of major industrial polluters that are the administration's base of political support. Most cuts come in efforts to maintain and improve the nation's clean water infrastructure. The budget includes only a $32 million increase (to $1,279 million) for the underfunded Superfund toxic waste cleanup program.

The Bible is full of imagery and metaphor regarding the natural world and the plant and animal life that lives in it. Almost every page in the Bible includes some kind of reference to nature. Water has a special place as the sustainer of life and the means of purification, most notably in the sacrament of baptism. It is ironic that while fish are important symbols in Christianity, mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants makes it dangerous to eat the fish caught in most American lakes and rivers.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Genesis 2:15)

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me" Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul. (Psalm 23)

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:13)

Soldiers and Veterans

The budget proposal does not fund a promised increase in death benefits for families of soldiers killed in action. The budget imposes new drug co-payments and enrollment fees that will raise health care costs for veterans. As a new generation of veterans returns home, some veteran's service organizations estimate health care programs are underfunded by about $2 billion. (Petoskey News)

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vinyard and does not eat of it's grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? (I Corinthians 9:7)

I will come near to you for judgement. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulters and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me, says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:5)

Defense

At $419 billion, defense represents around 16% of the $2.6 trillion 2006 proposed budget. This represents a $19 billion increase over 2005, although it does NOT include the costs of the Iraq and Afghan wars, which are paid for with supplemental appropriations.

The Bible, especially the old testament, is a very bloody book that can be a disquieting read for those with pacifist tendencies. Judaism and Christianity both have long histories of association with conquering powers. Although Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace, he is quoted as saying:

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)

The budget proposal reduces the Missile Defense Agency's 2006 budget to about $7.8 billion from about $8.8 billion in 2005, although it remains the best funded weapons systems project. These systems are controversial because of their high cost, their violation of anti-missle treaties and the serious questions surrounding their technical viability. (AFP) While it is difficult to use the Bible to justify or reject this particular weapon's systems project, repeated testing failures should call into question whether they can ever work or be trusted over constructive engagement with our allies and enemies.

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. (Jeremiah 17:5)

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. (2 Cor. 10:3)

And yet the budget includes the proposed continuation of the unnecessary and expensive F-22 and V-22 aircraft pork programs.

The pig is also unclean; although it has a split hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses. (Deuteronomy 14:8 :+)

Education

Discretionary spending at the Department of Education is budgeted to decrease to $56.1 billion from $56.6 billion in 2005, eliminating funding for 48 programs and reducing funding for many others. (OMB)

• Pell Grants (which are critical for many low-income students) were increased $100 to a maximum of $4,150, which does not keep pace with last year's average $824 average increase in costs at public universities. The budget simultaneously cut other financial aid programs, making college less accessible to low and moderate-income students. (CAP)
• The budget for Head Start preschool program was frozen at $6.9 billion, which represents a cut after inflation.
• The Even Start family literacy program's $225 million was removed from the budget, even though there are questions about the metrics used to declare it ineffective. (HHS)
• Abstinence-only sex education, which has been associated with INCREASED unsafe sexual activity, received a budget increase to $206 million. (Flanders)

When religious leaders would try to force Jesus into making firm pronouncements of minimally-acceptable moral behavior, he would often respond with a phrase or story that required the hearer to follow his own judgement and conscience in making moral determinations. Accordingly, a well-rounded education that promotes the development of critical thinking with study of literature, history and fine arts might be preferred to one that stresses rigid facts and teaching to a standardized test.

Children are mentioned frequently in the Bible along with their education. The parent-child relationship is often used as an metaphor for the relationship between God and man.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Which of you, if his son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:9)

Seniors

The 2006 budget proposals include changes to many programs that affect senior citizens. Some of the changes are positive and many of the cuts (like the oft-mentioned $60 billion cut in Medicaid over 10 years) involve complex elements that defy easy judgements. However, the $200 million cut (to $2 billion) in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps the poor elderly and disabled pay their heating bills, is a bit harder to justify. The fact that the administration includes no transition costs for it's plan to privatize Social Security indicates either that they want to ignore the costs or that they don't expect the changes to occur. The AARP has released an excellent 28-page report on how the budget proposals affect seniors. (AARP)

The aged are usually mentioned with respect in the Bible and younger generations are cautioned to honor those that have come before, perhaps indicating that the young have always been inclined to neglect their elders. And, Lord willing, we will all be seniors some day.

Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. (Deut. 5:16)

Is not widsom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? (Job 12:12)

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6)

Faith Based Initiatives

The 2006 budget proposal includes $385 million in funding for five programs related to faith-based and community initiatives, up $150 million from 2005. (BeliefNet) (FBCI)

• $100 million for the Compassion Capital Fund
• $50 million for Mentoring of Children of Prisoners
• $150 million for the Access to Recovery drug treatment program grants
• $75 million for a prisoner re-entry program
• $10 million for maternity group homes

While many people of faith would argue that recovery from addiction or a life crisis requires a spiritual renewal for success, the persecutions of the early Christian church and, indeed, the cruxifiction of Jesus testify to the wisdom of America's founding fathers in passing the first amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (usconstitution.net)

Concerns have also been raised that these faith-based programs are targeted at a narrow group of organizations and serve as payoffs for political support.

How dare you turn my Father's house into a market! (John 2:12)

Jesus' harshest recorded words were directed not at prostitutes or homosexuals, but at the dogmatic religious leaders of his day who were more concerned with their own power than the well-being of their people:

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. (Matthew 23:13)

Space Science

The budget proposed for NASA is $16.5 billion, up from about $16.2 billion in 2005. This increase is largely associated with the President's plan for manned missions to the moon and Mars (also championed by Bush I) and completion of the International Space Station with the Space Shuttle - all projects of limited real scientific value. (Bloomberg) There is also speculation that these projects are really fronts for developing new launch capability that can be used to militarize space.

Sacrificed for this grand scheme are programs that actually increase our knowledge about space. The proposed budget does not include money to repair or replace the Hubble Space Telescope, which has revealed an immense amount of information about the universe and is nearing the end of it's planned lifetime. Also postponed is the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter, which would have been a important and expensive mission based around new nuclear propulsion technology. The Mars mission will be a high-profile monument to the technological achievements of man but will yield little new understanding of a universe that so eloquently testifies to the greatness of its creator.

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from he east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1)

Amtrak

The administration proposes a reduction in Amtrak from $1.2 billion in 2005 to $360 in 2006. This would force Amtrak into bankruptcy, ending a 150-year history of intercity rail transportation in America, leaving only the commuter lines of the Northeast.

Road travel is usually portrayed in the Bible as dirty, tiresome and/or dangerous while trains are noble and supportive. OK, this one's a stretch, but I like trains :+)

A man was going down (the road) from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away leaving him half dead. (Luke 10:30)

Broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13)

When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. (Ephesians 4:8 :+)

Conclusions

Use or abuse of the Bible to defend particular political or cultural opinions is problematic. Both sides in the American civil war used Biblical passages to defend their opposing positions and Biblically-based arguments have little meaning to the large body of Americans who do not believe in a diety or the Bible as divine revelation.

So, perhaps, those of us who proclaim Christianity should follow the example of the founder of our faith. Jesus frequently quoted scripture, but when pressed to come up with firm rules that defined minimally acceptable behavior, he would respond with a story or phrase that would defy the desire for easy solutions:

The Pharasees went out and laid plans to trap (Jesus) in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar's what is Caesar's and to God what is God's". (Matthew 22:18)

[Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. It is a bland but functional translation often used by evangelical Christians.]