Guess what? We elected a President. He does not have a magic wand. He cannot wave away this recession. He cannot fix healthcare overnight. He cannot cast a spell over Congress and make them pass his proposals. President Obama cannot do this alone which is why he said to us in his speech “we all have a responsibility to each other and to our country. It will take time and it will take the patience of the American people.” (more…) Read more

After I read that Reverend Billy, an activist-crusader-turned-humorous-and-fake-but-prophetic “preacher” is a legitimate Green Party candidate for New York City mayor, I had to join his Facebook group, “Reverend Billy Talen for Mayor of NYC.” Last week, I received a message from him in my inbox, below. (more…) Read more

I argue in this Cleveland Plain Dealer op-ed that the time is ripe to end the abortion stalemate. But this will require a new perspective from both the far left and far right, who often seem more interested in defending turf and demonizing opponents than seizing a unique historical moment. (more…) Read more

At a time of surging need, sagging donations and plummeting portfolios, organizations caring for the immediate needs of hard-hit Americans are facing debilitating budget cuts. As a first step toward common-good reform, we need a moral budget that provides the casualties of our economy with enough resources to meet their needs.   (more…) Read more

The problem is that the people that one feels obligated to help out becomes smaller and smaller as one becomes wealthier and wealthier.  They reach a point where there is never a need to interact with their community.  They have servants, the best entertainment systems, the most up-to-date game systems, all the newest games, the largest rooms, etc.  Their world now exists within this little bubble that they have created, and they get to pick and choose who is able... Read more

Introduction-During this Lenten season The Poverty Initiative is inviting you to join us as we reflect on the last week in the life of Jesus and the last year of Rev. King’s life. Though we are not placing the Rev. King on the same level as Jesus, by examining a modern day prophet such as the Rev. King we can gain encouragement and practical insight into how to live a life dedicated to Jesus’ message of Liberation, Justice and Prophetic... Read more

I do not doubt that the over one trillion dollars of deficit is very real (particularly in terms of our relationship to China) and has very real effects (we see them every day on the news).  And yet, there’s the flip side of the coin in which talk of millions, billions and trillions is merely used as rhetoric intended to scare us, to frighten us, and to incite our anger.  Not that we shouldn’t be angry, but let’s make sure... Read more

  "There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the great pumpkin."  These are the wise words of the great philosopher Linus, in Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin.  The issue of abortion involves two out of the three and in most cases should be excluded from the norms of conversation. And, as a male, who can neither get pregnant nor attempt birth, I am hesitant to wade into these forbidding waters as... Read more

Most of us already know the story of Sarah and Abraham. But let’s do the 30 second recap. From the very moment we meet Sarai and Abram, Sarai is unable to conceive and Abram is being promised a huge family, but God has asked them to embark on a journey. You’ll recall that Sarai was quite beautiful, so when famine devastates their land and they must look for food elsewhere, Abram tells everyone that Sarai is his sister, so that... Read more

A Pew study on the over-expense of the U.S. prison system found that 1 in every 31 people are in jail, on probation, or on parole, reported the New York Times.  More frightening than that is, “Twenty-five years ago, the rate was 1 in 77.”   I’m 24 years old. That means that in my lifetime, incarceration rates per capita have more than doubled. If those numbers don’t shock you, you are not paying attention.   Especially considering we are... Read more