Budgets are Moral Documents

The Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs reminds us that state and federal budgets are moral documents. In "Faith Reflections on the Federal Budget" they identify three core values for analysis of budget priorities:

1. Meet the needs of the most vulnerable. We must invest in programs that allow families to survive the recession and live in dignity by adequately funding social service programs that meet basic human needs and protect basic rights.

2. Create economic opportunity for all. We must invest in programs that address the underlying causes of poverty by adequately funding high quality education, sustainable jobs and living wages.

3. Demonstrate intergenerational responsibility. Leaving a legacy of rising debt, rising poverty and diminished opportunity is unacceptable. Adequate housing, access to health care and good nutrition are basic human rights.

Proverbs 31: 8-9 urge us to "open your mouth"--speak up and speak out. Budgets are moral documents.

For more information on the Domestic Human Needs budget visit this website:

http://www.iwj.org/budgets-are-moral-documents/a-faith-reflection-on-the-federal-budget