The Republican Budget Does Not Promote the Common Good

Catholic Social Teaching provides insights for people who live in a community. The principle of the common good conflicts with the budget the Republicans in Congress passed this week and several of the Trump administration’s actions.

The Common Good

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the common good.

By common good is to be understood “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily. The common good concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise the office of authority. (CCC, 1906)

Republicans did not create a budget that allows all Americans to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.

The Catechism goes on to say that the common good has three elements.

Respect for Each Person

First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such. In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person. Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his (sic.)vocation. In particular, the common good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation, such as “the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard . . . privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion.” (Sic. CCC, 1907)

The Trump administration has fostered an atmosphere of vengeance and violence. President Trump in his public and private life has repeatedly mocked rivals and destroyed the political careers of elected officials who do not fulfill his wishes. He has disabled many in the legislative branch from voting according to their constituents’ needs or their consciences. Republican House representatives and Senators fear violence after Trump pardoned almost all of the January 6 rioters, nonverbally condoning their actions. Congressmen and congresswomen fear for their own lives and those of their families. This fear might not have changed their votes on this particular budget, but it did on confirming cabinet nominations.

In short, our representatives do not experience respect from the president.

Social Well-being and Development of the Group Itself

(T)he common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on. (Sic. CCC, 1908)

The Republican budget has not provided for what all Americans need to live a truly human life. By proposing to make cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the budget condones that Americans die or get sick because they lack food. By making cuts to Medicaid, the budget make it difficult for millions of Amerians to get medical care which communicates that the government is indifferent to people who die from treatable illnesses.

The Trump administration has a problem with supplying “suitable information” to Americans. If people do not pay attention, they might not realize that the administration has flipped history that many of us witnessed by saying that Ukraine invaded Russia.

Peace

“(T)he common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members. It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defence. (Sic. CCC, 1909)”

The Trump administration does not promote peace. Do our current leaders believe that intimidation shows power and authority? Today, President Trump and Vice President Vance tried to intimidate Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky in front of the world, cameras running. Real peace requires justice, not dominance.

Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has indicated that he does not want to continue the Geneva Convention’s efforts to protect civilians in warfare. This is not OK and is not legitimate defense.

Tests to the Common Good

The common good clearly does not consist of slashing key programs that help vulnerable and ordinary people in the United States. Giving more tax breaks to millionaires and their corporations may ensure future campaign donations, but it does not help most Americans.