Tag: poverty

On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Remember the poor: Catholic bishops call for ‘circle of protection’

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

An elderly woman lives on a very tight fixed income. She depends on food stamps to provide enough food so that she can pay for her rent and medical expenses.

A married man with four children loses his job. His unemployment compensation has run out and he relies on receiving government help for rental assistance and buying food for his family.

These are real situations facing real people. In fact, recent statistics show that one in two Americans are living at or near the poverty level. That means up to 50 million Americans are poor, the highest number since the Census Bureau began tracking poverty rates in 1959.

But despite the growing numbers of poor people — many of them formerly considered “middle class” — we aren’t hearing much about poverty in the current political campaign. It seems to be an issue that everyone is avoiding like the plague.

Everyone except the U.S. Catholic bishops, that is.

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Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo

Lenten alms: A rice bowl for all

When I first heard about Operation Rice Bowl at my parish in America, I thought they were talking about something I knew so well from Chinese culture.

I don’t have to tell you that the Chinese people eat a lot of rice — you have been to enough Chinese restaurants and seen enough Chinese landscapes with rice paddies to know that. But “rice bowl” was a term I heard all the time, and not just at mealtimes.

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On
Ronald Engerman

Political parties differ in their responses to issues

To the editor:

The veiled question at the heart of Professor Kreeft’s talk seems to have been, “Can a Catholic vote for a Democrat?” That question is hardly worth discussing unless self-justification is its purpose.

Ask instead which party is the more likely to feed the poor, house the homeless, and provide for the elderly and disabled. Then ask which party has thrust our nation into its current multitrillion-dollar debt immediately following a presidency marked by balanced budgets and prosperity.

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On
Mary C. Uhler

Poverty in the United States: As it continues to rise, it has serious impact on children and families

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

As we continue reflections during Respect Life Month, we should reflect on the standard of living in this country and how it impacts children and families.

We all need food, clothing, and shelter to live healthy, happy lives. Yet statistics show that 46.2 million Americans are living below the poverty line. That means that many families have to make hard choices as they face hunger and can’t afford housing or health care for themselves and their children.

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On
Bill Dagnon, Baraboo

American society has been redistributing wealth from the poor to the rich

To the editor:

The column entitled, “‘Social justice’ is a complex concept” by Fr. Robert A. Sirico published in the April 14 issue of the Catholic Herald is confusing.

United States income has been redistributed from the poor and middle class to the wealthy for 30 years. The book Winner-Take-All Politics by Pierson and Hacker shows that in 2005 dollars, income of the 20 percent of American households earning the least rose from $14,900 in 1979 to $16,500 in 2005, or 10 percent. Average income rose from $42,900 to $52,100 or 21 percent.

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On
Ernie Stetenfeld, For the Catholic Herald

An invitation to serve — from the heart

The invitation may not be engraved, but it’s from the heart.

Members of several Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences in the Madison area will hold an “Invitation to Serve” weekend at their parishes this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 to 26, to invite fellow parishioners to join them in growing spiritually through service to the poor or suffering.

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