Romney's and Obama's Stance on Ending Poverty

Poverty is one topic addressed by both Governor Romney and President Obama. Governor Romney believes that as citizens of good faith, we are called to help those who are hopeless. He expresses the goodness of Americans in aiding the poor. Romney then addresses how the poverty level correlates with the high unemployment. He hopes to restore the economy in order to increase job opportunities for those who are unemployed. He also vocalizes his commitment to protecting "those in or near poverty." This stance correlates with the Catholic Church's by offering hope and opportunity to the poor, not leaving them to fend for themselves in an unjust world. On the other hand, President Obama believes that "poverty is a moral issue." As a community, he believes we are called to aid one another. We must treat everyone with dignity and provide health care, retirement opportunities and education. He believes these are necessary to rebuilding our community and lifting the poor from the line of poverty. This correlates with the Catholic Church's beliefs by placing the moral responsibility on the individual. It allows the Holy Spirit to lead individuals to helping their dear neighbor. As you can see, both Romney and Obama have similar beliefs in upholding the poor's dignity but different ways in order to achieve that.

Project H.O.M.E. works to promote justice for the homeless in various ways. They work to end the cycle of poverty and enable the individual. By remaining steadfast in support, Project H.O.M.E. offers opportunity to each person. I believe that Project H.O.M.E. does a lot in dealing with charity. They provide housing to the poor, education, and medical services to those in need.

The housing opportunities offered by Project H.O.M.E. differs from other homeless shelters because it offers semi-private lodgings instead of an open floor-plan with various bunks. This simple blueprint allows the individual to feel like a human and not like a number. They also offer transitionary home for all those who are mentally ill. By supporting the client until they are back on their feet, Project H.O.M.E. truly takes care of its residents. I think that the housing opportunities are pretty amazing because it offers some stability and support and dignity to the poor. Everyone desires that basic right of shelter.

Should Bin Laden Be Forgiven?

As Americans across the country watched the twin towers topple to the ground on 9/11/2001, it was nearly impossible to think (in those excruciating moments of pain, sadness, and terror) of forgiving the men responsible for such acts of hatred and violence. Yet as we have learned in our theology classes across the years, we are called to forgive others. So why not forgive bin Laden and the associates responsible for such a horrible act of terror? What would that forgiveness even look like? This idea is presented by Mike Hayes in an article he wrote for "Busted Halo."


Forgiveness lies at the heart of Jesus' mission. Even having been beaten, embarrassed and abused by the soldiers, Jesus forgave his persecutors on the cross with the simple words of "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." This approach to life and forgiveness confirms the need to forgive bin Laden. We cannot bring back the lives that he took. We cannot erase that moment of terror from our history books. But we can move forward, writing our history in forgiveness and peace.


In the aftermath of 9/11, various religious organizations banned together to form a coalition to promote inter-faith communication. We need to work for peace and not for vengeance. We are called to forgive. I think that forgiving bin Laden is not justify what he did, but rather coming to terms with what happened and moving forward without hate. If we weigh ourselves down by hate, we are only drowning ourselves with a burden heavier than anything we could carry. Yet through forgiveness, we are letting go of the baggage of the past and letting ourselves move forward. That is why the coalition is so vital. It stresses the need for communication, not crime.