Protesters against U.S. budget cuts arrested (Religious Activists)

http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=N14324773

More than 100 religious activists protesting proposed cuts to health care and other social welfare programs were arrested on Wednesday after they staged a peaceful sit-in at a government building near the U.S. Capitol.

Braving wintry weather with temperatures below freezing, the protesters held placards declaring that "budgets are moral documents."

Congress is trying to wrap up its 2005 legislative session this week and a high priority of conservative Republicans is a budget bill that would cut $35 billion to $50 billion over five years from a range of programs, including health care for the poor and elderly and possibly child care, student loans and food stamps.

"Someone's praying Lord, stop the cuts," chanted the protesters before U.S. Capitol Police officers moved in to arrest the protesters, who were camped out at the Cannon building that houses the offices of some lawmakers.

They refused to clear the entrance to a congressional office building Wednesday.

"These are political choices being made that are hurting low-income people," said Jim Wallis, the event's organizer and founder of the Christian ministry group Sojourners. "Don't make them the brunt of your deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility."






http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051214/ap_on_go_co/budget_protest

VERY cool! :toast:

government! They may simply not want to see this money supply dry up. Losing tithe revenuse year after year as people stop believing hurts enough.

these people different than those you are thinking about.

look like

take a long look wingers - hypocrites - who mouth platitudes -

The Right Wing is bullshit!

I'm so grateful for this group, and others who speak out for the less fortunate. It's a sin for the greedy Republicans to give more tax cuts to the rich, and load the cost onto the backs of the poor. There is something sadistic about such policies that makes me wonder how people can be so very cruel. No wonder it's the neocons like Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice who are pro torture. They just enjoy inflicting pain, period.

bushco and his evil republican henchman in congress. WE CAN NOT LET VOTERS OF ANY PARTY FORGET THIS IN '06 and '08. bush and his congressional dogs have bitten off the hands of the voters that elected them. I support these religious activists 200%; we ALL need to follow in their political activist footsteps!!!! I do not want to hear president hypocrisy and his phony religious republican members of congress spew about their faith and values, because they have none!!!!

I called it "George W. Bush's Machiavellian Values". My instructor gave me an "A" on it today. The religious right thinks sin, not lack of jobs, discrimination,illegal immigration, or off shoring is the cause of poverty. Bush and many members of the GOP are fascists, and catering to the moral imperatives of the religious right gives them religious license to oppress and punish those who are most likely to eventually rebel against their policies--the poor, who have suffered the most.

Congrats on the paper and welcome to DU!

:toast:

for just & fair society. I missed them. :grouphug:

and Medicare/Medicaid, and foodstamps, when all three together are just a fraction of the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on the war in Iraq.

For example, the current cost of Social Security a year is $9.1 billion; but Bush and Congress have been cutting checks for the Iraqi War to the tune of $50-85 billion at a time, and without any real discussion.

Legislated income for war profiteers. So much for their much vaunted beliefs in free trade. The war profiteers depend on government handouts.

Bush's cronies know it's easier just to go after the nation's piggybank.

War profiteers, looters, and plunderers. As a matter of budget priorities they rob from the poor, the aged, the disabled, the retired, the sick, and orphans.

If corporations and businesses paid their fair and legal share of taxes, that alone would make those 50 billion in cuts to the have-nots more inexcusable than they already are. And believe me, this cut in aid to those who need it the most is unneccessary, immoral, and nothing but a blatant attempt to, in Grover Norquist's vile words, "drown government". Same as bush not coming through with his promises of $ and help to Katrina victims. Christian behavior? I think not.

as well as the coffers of GOP candidates. :grr:

Makes me wonder: are the repukes little more than a crime syndicate posing as a political party?

...but who will save us from them?

If--as it's becoming--the only reference point from which one can assail something is the holy whatthefuck of supernatural fantasy, it almost doesn't matter who prevails. If the hell-bent selfishness of modern conservatism can be quelled by gentler voices, that's great, but something tells me that the dialogue of morality is increasingly linked to godcrap, and those who don't suck up to the big whatever will feel the collective wrath and indifference.

Am I wrong?

in the realm of religious. Clear thinking, compassionate and no judgements or g_d preaching at all. Hear him talk or interviewed you might think he was a socialist or anarchist rather than a man of the cloth. He's been doing good stuff for years and doesn't stuff morality down any throats. Questions everything and has a sense of humor.

That said I know what you mean. Mostly I'll walk away from any religious conversation as it will usually annoy.

Yes.

You're welcome.

It's dangerous, though.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness's sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

getting married.