Conservative Donnybrook

The most many people will ever see or hear of the Pope’s message on World Peace Day is the headlines in newspapers and tabloids declaring that the Pope is not a strong believer in human-made climate change.  But the Pope says so much more. 

His Holiness agrees that family should be regarded “as the first natural society.”  That mankind must do more to ensure tranquility and peace within the family structure.  Based on healthy families, the world civilization will grow and the world will learn “the language of peace.”  Moral law must be followed.  Nations must be allowed to flourish in freedom and without bowing to nations whom wish to subjugate and control them.  The Pontiff rightly and profoundly states, “In many situations the weak must bow not to the demands of justice, but to the naked power of those stronger than themselves. It bears repeating: power must always be disciplined by law, and this applies also to relations between sovereign States.”Non-proliferation of nuclear and conventional weapons is also highlighted by His Holiness.  Dissemination of weapons of war and sabotage must be stopped.  It is the responsibility of the developed nations to lead in this regard.  Civil wars in Africa, constant war in the middle east and an increasing global arms race all work to “cast dark shadows on [the world’s] future.”

The Holy Father does call for more dialogue on the environment and climate change.  The environment, the Pope says, is an asset for use of the whole human race, not simply one generation.  Yet the primacy of human life must not be denigrated and reduced in importance to that of the environment.  Following science is imperative; blindly following ideologues is dangerous and will bear no fruit.  We have been blessed with yet another fantastic message from His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.  I encourage everyone to read his message in full.

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Is the shut down of government imminent?  According a report by The Hill, Republicans are holding fast against Democrat attempts to raise taxes under the Pay-Go rules in the House.  The Issue: alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief.

At worst, taxes are raised to offset an estimated loss of $50 billion as a result of increasing the AMT exemption.  At best the AMT is repealed or the exemption is heavily increased without an increase in taxes else where.  Between these two options lies another possibility: the shut down of the Federal government.  Naturally, I would prefer an AMT patch without an offsetting rise in taxes, but by no means will I complain about a shut down of government in the alternative!

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