When I was a student at Aquinas High School in LaCrosse, there were eight of us in my class with the name Mary. To avoid confusion, we were called by our first and middle name, such as Mary Beth, Mary Ellen, Mary Pat, and Mary Sue. I was usually just called Mary, although I like my middle name and wouldn’t mind being called Mary Clare.
Category: Editorial
Merry Christmas
We wish all […]
Warning to government: Keep your hands off charitable deductions
As our country faces the “fiscal cliff,” our government is considering proposals to keep us from falling off that cliff at the beginning of 2013.
Basically members of Congress and President Barack Obama have to come up with a combination of more revenue and spending cuts in order to avert the fiscal cliff.
One way to achieve more revenue is to put a cap or ceiling on tax deductions. Among those deductions that could be considered is the tax deduction for charitable donations.
Wrong approach
In my opinion, this would be a wrong approach to our economic problems. In fact, it might create new challenges if people are discouraged from charitable giving.
We already have a large number of people who rely on charities for assistance with the basics of life: food, clothing, and shelter. I can’t imagine what would happen to people already in need if charitable donations were reduced.
Peace in the Holy Land: Let’s pray and work for an end to conflict in the land of Christ’s birth
At this time of year, many of us put up our Nativity scenes as we prepare for Christmas. The scene from the stable in Bethlehem reminds us of that time long ago when Jesus was born.
The Holy Land of Jesus’ birth played such an important role in the development of our Christian faith. Jesus was raised in Nazareth and preached throughout the region. His passion, death, and resurrection happened in Jerusalem.
This area of the world is also sacred to people of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. For example, Jerusalem is mentioned 669 times in the Hebrew Bible. Many sites in the Holy Lane have been destinations for religious pilgrimages by people of these faiths for centuries.
Yet conflict and violence continue to plague this area of the world. It is always sad to hear about violence happening in the places where Jesus — the Prince of Peace — walked.
Charity during the holidays: Giving Tuesday should outshine Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Yes, I admit to going shopping on Black Friday. There were some great deals to be had, but in retrospect I’m not sure they were worth the long lines and struggles with crowds.
However, as someone who loves shopping, I enjoyed being part of the sea of humanity on the day after Thanksgiving. Even my 86-year-old mother-in-law braved the challenges of shopping on Black Friday with me!
Another plus is that the economy got a shot in the arm. It was reported that a record 226 million shoppers spent a record $52.4 billion in stores and online on Black Friday weekend.
Remember charitable donations
Besides giving gifts to family members and friends, I believe we should also be allocating a portion of our holiday giving to charitable causes. Instead of giving gifts to some people on our Christmas list, my husband and I have been giving donations to charities in their honor.
Thanksgiving Day: Following in the footsteps of President Lincoln
We usually think of Thanksgiving Day as hearkening back to the story of the Pilgrims and Indians in the 17th century. Certainly the observance of a day of thanksgiving in our country does trace its origins back to the harvest feast held in Plymouth, Mass., in 1621.
However, what many of us may not know is that the official proclamation of Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday happened in the middle of the American Civil War. Perhaps with our own “civil war” of sorts happening in 2012, in the aftermath of a contentious election, it might be worth noting what President Abraham Lincoln said at that time.
Let’s work together: We must put people ahead of politics
In Governor Mitt Romney’s concession speech given early on November 7, he implored Republicans and Democrats alike to “put the people before the politics.” In a time of “great challenges for America,” Governor Romney urged our leaders “to reach across the aisles” to help meet those challenges.
In an address at a victory rally in Chicago also in the early morning hours of November 7, President Barack Obama professed his own willingness to work with people of the opposing party. “I believe we can seize this future together — because we are not as divided as our politics suggest; we’re not as cynical as the pundits believe; we are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions; and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and forever will be, the United States of America,” said the president.
I hope Governor Romney and President Obama meant these words. I also hope that leaders of both parties in Congress heard their words and will work hard to put people above politics. The partisan gridlock has to be broken.
Witness of charity: They will know we are Christians by our love
Hurricane Sandy left plenty of devastation in her wake, causing destruction in many countries and leading to at least 68 deaths.
Whenever these disasters occur, people seem to forget their differences and unite in a common purpose to help those in need.
We can especially be proud of Catholic Charities USA — the umbrella organization of Catholic Charities agencies in dioceses throughout our country.
Witness of charity: They will know we are Christians by our love
Hurricane Sandy left plenty of devastation in her wake, causing destruction in many countries and leading to at least 68 deaths.
Whenever these disasters occur, people seem to forget their differences and unite in a common purpose to help those in need.
We can especially be proud of Catholic Charities USA — the umbrella organization of Catholic Charities agencies in dioceses throughout our country.
Living in a swing state: It underlines our responsibilities as faithful citizens
Living in a swing state isn’t much fun. We’ve been inundated with television advertising and campaign phone calls for many months.
It wasn’t a surprise to hear that Madison was among the top five cities in the country in the amount of spending for political advertising. Just imagine all the good we could do to help the poor and reduce the deficit with all that money!
It’s been a trying time
Of course, the reason we’re a swing state is that the presidential race and the U.S. Senate race are too close to call. The voters in Wisconsin are almost evenly divided between political parties at this point.