Does the Gang of Six Cut Taxes or Raise Them?

Does the Gang of Six Cut Taxes or Raise Them? by Donald Maron

My response: This will only work if the housing industry is ineffective in blocking it. I am not sure why the powers that be think they can do better at this than was done in 1986. The wealthy know a tax increase when they see one, so we might as well raise rates and divert the tax expenditures for mortgage interest and property taxes to an increased child tax credit – which might actually encourage families to have children and thus reverse the aging crisis.

As important is the issue of why we are limiting the plausible baseline change to $1.2 trillion. In the end, the entire process is being undertaken to avoid simply letting the Bush/Obama cuts expire. The President pretty much holds the cards, provided the Democrats in Congress back him. At some point, Democrats may decide they want more in taxes – possibly letting the top 3 rates reset to permanent law, rather than just the top 2.

Guidelines on Women's Health Issued

Guidelines on Women's Health Issued by Michael Sean Winters

My comments: The reason that the Bishops should have played nicer is to be able to count on the support of liberal Catholics when such issues as this come up. Not sure I feel like backing their play on Ella, although I probably will. However, they are simply wrong on sterilization and contraception - since these work before gastrulation and cannot be considered equivalent to abortion (unlike Ella).

The Church's stance on contraception works best when it sticks to economic empowerment issues for the poor, who should not have to resort to birth control to secure their economic well being. It does not do so well when it takes a stand against contraception that is medically indicated because the woman should not get pregnant. Their suggested practice of natural family planning lessens the power of its economic message and is inadequate to the health needs of women whose lives may be in jeapordy if they become pregnant.

Chaput: The Problem With Culture Warrior Bishops

Chaput: The Problem With Culture Warrior Bishops by Michael Sean Winters

My response: I suspect Cardinals Law and Burke had a say in this, yet Chaput may well overcome the culture of clericalism left by Rigali and bring reform. How he deals with Bob Casey will be telling on the political front. Unless he understands that Casey has the upper hand in this, he will do damage to himself and wreck any bipartisanship in the pro-life movement.

Obama Makes 11th-Hour Plea for a ‘Big Deal’

Obama Makes 11th-Hour Plea for a ‘Big Deal’ by Eric Pianin and Jennifer DePaul

Gloom and doom won't cut it when your opponents don't believe you. What they understand is power politics and the way to rub the GOPs noses in it is to say publicly what they fear the most - that without compromise Obama will never sign legislation (nor will the Senate give it 60 votes) extending tax cuts on the rich.

If he really wants action, he should speak glowingly about using the Constitutional Option. That will force action by Cantor and Boehner, since it undercuts their leverage. Obama is still more popular than they are, so retaliating by attempting impeachment won't get very far at election time and it may not even clear the House (62 GOP members are still from Districts Obama won).

Mary and Jesus as mother and son

Mary and Jesus as mother and son by Thomas C. Fox

My reaction: This is the most important relationship in scripture, because unless you understand it, you cannot understand why Jesus finally called out in despair on the Cross.

While it is fashionable to believe that the nativity stories are an add-on, I believe they are essential - since they locate Jesus' knowledge of himself in His mother's telling of them and in His reading of the scripture, rather than in some proto-gnostic self-awareness. When He entrusted her to John's care, He rejected both this origin belief and His mission. He did not give John instructions to baptize all nations or even await the Resurrection. He essentially told those He loved that He was a he - dead man hanging.

Understand this and you understand all of Christianity, including that the purpose of morality is not to placate God, but to live well on Earth. This view is mutually exclusive from the view that God is angry and his anger must be satisfied by blood. Instead, the blood is to be shared as Jesus shared our despair (I thirst).