You Voted 'No' Why?

Some things just really get me angry. I was really shocked today when I watched the vote go down today in the House. I'm not sure what I really think of the bill. I'm not convinced it was the "best" thing, so trust me, I'm not angry the bill didn't pass.

What has gotten me all in a tizzy is some of Republican response that they voted because of Pelosi's speech just prior. Was the speech partisan? YES Was it really the appropriate place and time? NO Should we rise above kindergarten behavior in making decisions that will impact our country for decades? YES!!!!!! This is why I HATE politics. Let's grow up and stand up for what we believe in. If you wanted to vote for it, then vote for it! Don't let petty stuff change your mind or provide you a cover for your vote. I lost a lot of respect for the house leaders and the Republican party today.

I'm still haunted by Bono's quote. Since we aren't gonna' bail out Wall Street, could we feed the children now?

Looking Through Different Lenses Now!

I've been trying to get motivated to start blogging. This is what finally did it for me. Yesterday as I was reading the many news articles I have sent to my inbox I came across a quote that has haunted me. While speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative on Wednesday, Bono from U2 commented:

"It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger. That's mad, that is mad."

Later in the article the author added:

The Group of Eight wealthy nations vowed in 2005 to raise annual aid levels $50 billion by 2010, $25 billion of which was to go to Africa. But under current spending plans, the G8 will fall $40 billion short, according to a June report by the Africa Progress Panel set up to monitor implementation.

I am reminded of Jim Wallis' comment in his book, God's Politics in which he states that budgets are moral statements. If we want to see where our government's (and OUR) priorities lie, the budget is a good way to discern that!

What does it say about us and our government when noone blinks an eye (who doubted that we would find a way to do it?) at $700 billion, yet we are just are too strapped for cash to eradicate hunger. Is it really a priority? Are we really willing to live out Imageo Dei? If we really believe that each of these children is created in the image of God, how can we possibly just sit by and let them die? Each time another child dies, so does a part of our soul!

Sure, we are talking about a lot of money. $25 billion is a lot of money. Yet, if it means eradicating hunger and death among the poorest of the poor children in the world it seems like a worthy investment to me.

What do we do? That's the part that frustrates me. I know I'm looking at this election through a different set of lenses after Wednesday! I think the first step might be right under our eyes! Click here to find out how you can help! Maybe we need to make hunger a political issue!