wfn.org | Church executive denounces federal budget proposal

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

April 13, 1999 News media contact: Joretta Purdue*(202)546-8722*Washington
10-21-71B{201}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The federal budget proposal for the coming fiscal year
is being called "immoral and unjust" by the top staff executive of the
United Methodist Church's social action arm.

In a statement released April 12, the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett objected
to "draconian cuts to essential programs for human needs" and for the
environment in spite of record surpluses.

"The $1.7 trillion budget resolution, passed by the U.S. House of
Representatives and the Senate, would require slashing low-income programs,
international development, and children's and environmental programs," said
Fassett, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
At the same time, military spending would be increased by $10 billion, and
tax cuts would account for an additional $15 billion in the budget for
fiscal year 2000.

United Methodist policy recognizes the responsibility of governments to
develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies, Fassett said. But
rather than following the teachings of Jesus, he commented, "the proposed
budget takes money from the poor, the children, the environment and the
peacemakers." The money will be given mostly "to the rich (who will gain the
most from tax cuts) and the war makers," he said.

Most domestic program funding will drop by 12 percent or more under the
proposed budget, Fassett warned.

"Up to 100,000 children would lose access to Head Start, an early education
program; nearly 1.2 million women, infants and children would be cut from
the federal nutrition assistance program; and more than 73,000 youth would
not have summer jobs," he said.

The budget reflects further cuts for international development aid at a time
when wars are raging worldwide and peacekeeping is needed more than ever, he
said.

"United Nations funding would be cut further, despite the fact that the
United States still owes $1.5 billion to the international body," Fassett
complained. "The United States is now the last among rich nations in
providing foreign assistance as a percentage of its gross national product."

In addition, he said the proposed budget reduces the amounts available to
help countries destroy nuclear weapons safely. Environmental programs would
be cut by about $3 billion, he said, and that would hurt efforts aimed at
reducing the use of fossil fuels and the development of an
80-mile-per-gallon car.

# # #

This is the complete text of the statement by the Rev. Thom White Wolf
Fassett, top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and
Society:

12 April 1999

Proposed Federal Budget Resolution Cuts Essential Programs 

This is a statement of General Secretary Thom White Wolf Fassett. The
general board is directed to speak its convictions, interpretations, and
concerns to the Church and to the world.

Although the US economy is strong with record budget surpluses, U.S.
Congress' proposed fiscal year 2000 federal budget resolution sadly does not
reflect this reality and would, instead, require draconian cuts to essential
programs for human needs and God's creation. The $1.7 trillion budget
resolution, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, would
require slashing low-income programs, international development, and
children's and environmental programs. While cutting these programs, the
budget would substantially increase military spending by more than $10
billion and provide $15 billion in tax cuts for the next year. By 2009,
increases in military spending and tax cuts would reach $190 billion.

United Methodist policy recognizes the responsibility of governments to
develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies. However, we
believe the proposed FY 2000 budget is immoral and unjust. As Christians,
the Bible teaches us: "From everyone to whom much is given, much will be
required; and from whom much has been entrusted, even more will be
demanded." (Luke 12:48) The proposed budget takes money from the poor, the
children, the environment, and the peacemakers, and then gives the money to
the rich (who will gain the most from tax cuts) and the war makers. This is
the opposite of God's vision of Shalom, where children, the poor, the
creatures of the earth, and the peacemakers are blessed and provided for.
Such a budget is even more evil at a time of budget surpluses.

Most domestic program funding can expect to drop by 12 percent or more. Up
to 100,000 children would lose access to Head Start, an early education
program; nearly 1.2 million women, infants, and children would be cut from
the federal nutrition assistance program; and more than 73,000 youth would
not have summer jobs. With wars raging worldwide, peace keeping activities
and real development assistance are needed more than ever, but the proposed
budget reflects cuts in funds for international development aid. The United
Nations funding would be cut further, despite the fact that the United
States still owes $1.5 billion to the international body.  The United States
is now the last among rich nations in providing foreign assistance as a
percentage of its Gross National Product. Programs to help nuclear powers
destroy nuclear weapons safely would also be cut. Environmental programs
would be cut by some $3 billion, including programs reducing the use of
fossil fuels and the development of an 80 mile per gallon car.
# # #
Only General Conference speaks for the entire denomination. The General
Board of Church and Society is the international public policy and social
action agency of The United Methodist Church.

______________
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