Let the Red Ink Flow: Or Responsible, Maybe; But Not Fiscally So

Maybe some prominent red ink manufacturers made significant donations to Bush's and
other Republicans' campaigns.

Like many Americans, after hearing the Presidents impressive plan for rebuilding the
Gulf coast after the ravages of Katrina, "I thought 200 billions dollars, where will it come
from? He'll need to raise taxes."

But the following day, we learned that he will stay his no-tax-increase course as
steadfastly as he stays the course on the war in Iraq. The funds for Katrina will come
from cutting "unnecessary spending."

So what should be cut? I heard a commentator on NPR this week suggest that Congress
could rescind all the pork-barrel programs in the federal budget. He said there is more
than enough money in these special trophy projects that representatives take back to
their constituents to help insure their re-election. But this idea sounds like good common
sense, and we're talking about the government.

Also, how many members of Congress will be willing to gamble their job security by giving up these gifts to their constituents? They view their pet projects as necessary to their districts
and states.

So what will be cut? Up until the President's Thursday speech, Congress still planned to vote
to cut Medicaid and food stamp programs. Yes, even after Katrina's devastation, and the accusations of racial and class discrimination, Congress still planned to cut these programs.

The Administration and the Republicans in Congress set themselves up for those
accusations. Since Bush took office, his agenda has primarily benefitted Corporate America
and wealthy individuals, often at the expense of the poor and working classes. After
almost 5 years of taking care of his cronies, it was easy for the public to conclude that
the poor New Orleans refugees were forgotten and neglected. That idea fits in with the
collective persona Conservatives have forged for themselves. So they have only themselves
to blame. In many ways, they've been neglecting the poor and needy for years.

I represent my Unitarian Universalist congregation on an interfaith council that oversees
our local food bank. And a few years ago, the food bank's monthly statistics. Our food bank
used to serve between 300 and 400 families per month.

I just got their newsletter the other day, and the new average is 660 families a month.
And these are households that generally don't qualify for food stamps or other assistance programs; individuals and families struggling to get by on Social Security, disability, unemployment or minium wage paychecks.

We've got a great food bank. They have a garden and a gleaning program; and during the summer and fall, volunteers go to local farms to pick fresh fruits and vegetables for the
families. And they have a training kitchen, teaching recipients about cooking and nutrition.
And they work with local agencies and volunteer organizations to get any additional
assistance they might need. Yes, we're proud of our food bank:
http://www.projectshare.net/.

But Project S.H.A.R.E and food banks across the country are taking a hit. When hurricanes
and other disasters strike, donations to worthy relief efforts often mean a drop in donations
for other organizations. Donors families only have so much money to donate to charity.
So please remember your local relief organizations, too; as we enter the fall and winter
seasons. More families will likely need food, as they face higher heating costs in the coming
cold, snowy months.

The need for assistance programs like Project S.H.A.R.E is growing in America, as the
population living at or below the "poverty line" has increased significantly since Bush
took office. But that to many, seemed like somebody else's problem until Katrina gave
thousands of human faces to the problem of poverty in America.

Hurricane Katrina struck our nation with a terrible blow. A blow so strong that His
Resoluteness finally had to take responsibility for our government's worst-laid plans. And
as much to try to rescue his poll numbers as to rescue the Gulf region, he has laid out a
number of promising initatives.

Will the red ink of the federal deficit flow. Will the pork fat be trimmed? Will so called "entitlement" benefits be redirected and refocused to Katrina refugees?

Or will these plans, like No Child Left Behind and so many Homeland Security initiatives, be
long on promise and short on funds?

And that's the issue few have mentioned. From time to time, since 9/11; there have been
media stories about police and fire departments being unable to purchase the rescue and communications equipment they need to prepare for attacks or disasters. Some of these
are necessary because of new Homeland Security measures, but the promised funding
was late or non-existent.

I believe Katrina relief will likely play out the same scenario. Bush needs some positive
Q points right now, so it's "We screwed up. We're sorry. We'll make it better."

And when all the national boo-boos are bandaged, it will likely be back to BAU:
Business As Usual.

So here's an idea: Maybe someone can invent a car that runs on red ink. Then maybe some
good can come out of the flood in Washington.

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To help Katrina victims, visit the Unitarian Universalist website at:
http://www.uua.org/news/2005/050831_katrina/donate.html

Or you can contact these organizations from NPR's website:

The Higher Ground Hurrican Relief Fund 1-800-833-2660
The Red Cross 1-800-435-7669

The Salvation Army 1-800-725-2769

And please don't forget the needy in your own community. Support your local food

bank and other relief organizations. They likely need volunteers as well as monetary

donations.

As we say at our UU meetinghouse, give until it feels good. It's one of the ways that I

count my blessings.

Thanks and take care,
JLH