2007 LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS
20 Best & Worst Connecticut Legislators
Released: July 17, 2007
People of Faith has conducted a study of the voting
records of Connecticut legislators in 2007 in order to develop a Legislator
Report Card.
Thirty-four bills were selected for analysis in five major legislative areas: Human Welfare, Labor & Taxation, Criminal Justice, Education & Environment, and Animal Welfare.
Elected officials received a grade in each legislative area based on the extent to which their votes promoted spiritual and biblical
Thirty-four bills were selected for analysis in five major legislative areas: Human Welfare, Labor & Taxation, Criminal Justice, Education & Environment, and Animal Welfare.
Elected officials received a grade in each legislative area based on the extent to which their votes promoted spiritual and biblical
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values such as
compassion, equality, justice, solidarity with marginalized people, and
stewardship of creation.
One political party talks a lot about moral values. The voting data, however, may surprise you.
View Report Card of all legislators including the 20 Best & Worst.
One political party talks a lot about moral values. The voting data, however, may surprise you.
View Report Card of all legislators including the 20 Best & Worst.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Socialized Health Care
"As we near the 2008 congressional and
presidential elections, health care will be on the agenda. The
Democrats and Republicans promise to address the issue, but
neither will promote a truly universal non-profit system.
We support the struggle for progressive changes in our health care system which help end for-profit health care. This means we support the call for a single-payer system and the call for expanding Medicaid to all US residents (like HR. 676) while opposing market-based "universal" plans (like the one being used in Massachusetts)."
-- Socialist Party USA
Download Health Care Pamphlet .pdf
Socialist Party CT
We support the struggle for progressive changes in our health care system which help end for-profit health care. This means we support the call for a single-payer system and the call for expanding Medicaid to all US residents (like HR. 676) while opposing market-based "universal" plans (like the one being used in Massachusetts)."
-- Socialist Party USA
Download Health Care Pamphlet .pdf
Socialist Party CT
THEOLOGY COURSES
Hartford Seminary Announces Fall 2007 Courses
View the 2007
Fall Semester course schedule and registration form.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
School of Spirituality and the Spiritual Direction Practicum
Registration is still open for Mercy
Center's School of Spirituality and Practicum in Spiritual
Direction. Both two-year certificate programs begin in September
and run to next April; the School meets Monday evenings and the
Practicum Wednesday evenings. For information: contact Claire
Rusowicz (for the School) or Sr. Florence Trahan (for the
Practicum). Tuition scholarships are available for both programs
through a donation from the Sisters of Mercy of the Northeast.
Mercy By The Sea
Mercy By The Sea
NEW BOOK
Dissent From War
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"We are used to thinking of history as
defined by wars, punctuated by lapses called 'peace.'
In this broad-ranging and compelling book, Robert L. Ivie challenges the ways we marginalize dissent from war and peacemaking efforts in general. He focuses our attention on U.S. policy and popular movements, from the Civil War to the present, showing how readily we fall into the patterns of demonizing 'the enemy,' pushing aside those who question the rush to battle, and how inconsistent these patterns are with our deeper yearnings, our national principles, and our religious commitments.
Dissent from War helps us not only to see the road not taken but also offers some useful signs for getting there."
Published by Kumarian Press Bloomfield, CT.
EMPLOYMENT opportunities
Field Director and Field Organizer
Love Makes A Family is seeking experienced organizers for these two
positons.
Job postings can be found on the LMF website:
Field Director .pdf
Field Organizer .pdf
Job postings can be found on the LMF website:
Field Director .pdf
Field Organizer .pdf
SPIRITUALITY
"The formulation may be recent, but the calling has been
part of the Church from the beginning. The only thing that
we have to answer to at the end of time is whether we have
loved Christ in the poor. 'I was hungry and you fed me and
gave me drink.' If we, in our Christian situation, don't
love the poor, if we don't opt for them, we simply are not
Christian."
-- Samuel Ruiz, RC Bishop, Chiapas, Mexico
GUEST commentary
Challenges for
Progressive People of Faith
"The test of whether we are true to our religious calling is whether or not what we say and do raises up the paralyzed, liberates the oppressed, is heard as good news by the poor, and proclaims the acceptable time for all people. If that is happening because of your presence and ministry in the world then you need no other justification for your being there."
-- Rev. Sarah Flynn, excerpted from Pride Address to Vermont Welcoming Congregations
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RACIAL JUSTICE
Covenant With Black America
A national plan of action to address the primary concerns of African Americans today. As we move toward the national elections of 2006 and 2008, Black Americans are entitled to have questions answered and visions shared of where our leaders want to take this country and a blueprint for how we get there.
The Covenants:
* Healthcd Well-Being
* Education
* Criminal Justice
* Police Accountability
* Affordable Neighborhoods
* Voting
* Rural Development
* Economic Prosperity
* Environmental Justice
* Digital Divide
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This Moment of Joy has Another Side to It
"Somewhere in the minds of a few legislators even the humble James C. Tillman does not deserve a just reward for a crime that America convicted him of -wrongly. It seems as if a racist society is set to ROB Tillman again, this time by withholding money he deserves. Then in 24 hours the legislators who proposed the rival bill have a change of heart (oh really?) and Tillman is given the 5 million dollars."
-- Cornell Lewis
Read More in the People of Faith Blog
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
The New Sanctuary Movement: People Ask Why?
"Meanness is a threat to the heart of religion. We have seen its ugly head reared in matters of homophobia, sexism, racism, violence . . . and now we see it active in the immigration debate. No matter what else we do -- even if we cannot change the law - we must change the meanness."
-- Rev. Donna Schaper
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TODAY'S TOP RELIGION HEADLINES
Roll Call: Religion's Role in America
Tuesday, July 17, 2007How do you solve a problem like religion, which simultaneously is bringing people together while pushing them apart? How can a politician assert ...
Los Angeles Daily News: Changing Season for Catholic Church
Monday, July 16, 2007The U.S. Catholic Church is quietly entering a new season. . Settlement negotiations are under way in Los Angeles for the largest remaining batch ...
Salt Lake Tribune: History of Mormonphobia offers lessons about homophobia
Monday, July 16, 2007Despite Mitt Romney's passionate efforts to denounce polygamy and demonstrate his devotion to Jesus Christ, his Mormon faith remains subject to ...
Jerusalem Post: How fair is the Fairness Doctrine?
Monday, July 16, 2007There is a move afoot in the US to resurrect the misnamed Fairness Doctrine and impose it on conservative broadcasters. If it is successful ...
Study Links Religious Freedom, Economic Well-being
Monday, July 16, 2007WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom goes hand-in-hand with economic well-being and freedom of the press--but not necessarily with a secular or religiously oriented government. by Michelle C. Rindels
Oregon Court Says Mormons Can't Hide Financial Worth
Monday, July 16, 2007PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) Oregon's top court has rejected the Mormon church's bid to shield detailed financial information about its net worth--a closely held secret for nearly half a century. by Ashbel S. Green
Conservative Christian Groups Protest Hindu Prayers in Senate
Monday, July 16, 2007WASHINGTON (RNS) Conservative Christian groups protested the first appearance of a guest Hindu chaplain on the Senate floor Thursday. by Adelle M. Banks
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 6
Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance
Hartford