Don’t balance budget on backs of least of us

The faith community of First Presbyterian Church of Elgin is seeking to live out God’s call for compassion and justice in our world. We are concerned that the budget costs proposed and enacted in our state and nation are made at the expense of those who are already suffering.

Reductions in prescription aid to low income seniors and the disabled and nutrition programs for children are examples of balancing our budget on the backs of those least able to bear the burden.

We support the movement toward a balance budget and reduction of our national debt, but not at the expense of the children, the poor and the disabled. Budgets are moral documents. They reflect the moral climate of a nation.

The measure of a nation’s moral compass can be taken by the manner in which that nation treats children, the old and the weak. In our tradition, those people are called “the least of these, my brothers and sisters.” Jesus said, “as you did it to the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.”

As people of faith, we plead with our legislators to enact tax laws and budgets where the burden of our national is shared by all.

Kurk Buckardt

First Presbyterian Church

Elgin