The Moral Measure

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops recently put out a statement about the federal budget, including:

“The moral measure of this budget debate is not which party wins or which powerful interests prevail, but rather how those who are jobless, hungry, homeless or poor are treated. Their voices are too often missing in these debates, but they have the most compelling moral claim on our consciences and our common resources. A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. It requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.”

(via)

I generally agree with this, but also think there’s another voiceless party here: future generations who will have to pay the debt we use to keep our bubbles inflated.