Balance the Budget, Cut the Debt, Free the States

SUBSIDIARITY

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: As the budget battle ensues in Washington DC, partisan politics have taken over, at least on the Democrat side to be sure, but what about the Republicans?

Yes, the Republicans are playing partisan politics too, but this time it's a little different. This time it's for their own political survival. The TEA Party leaders have made it clear that if Republicans fail to deliver a balanced budget with substantial and credible cuts made to the national debt, the party is over for them. TEA Party leaders across the nation have already stated they are prepared to "make an example of them in 2012" in reference to the Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, America's creditors are growing impatient, and they are threatening to downgrade America's credit rating if a budget deal is not reached soon.

God fearing faithful Catholics should look at this with a sober non-partisan perspective.  We can be sympathetic with the TEA Party message by echoing our own message from the teachings of the Catholic Church -- SUBSIDIARITY....

1883 Socialization also presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co- ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good."

1884 God has not willed to reserve to himself all exercise of power. He entrusts to every creature the functions it is capable of performing, according to the capacities of its own nature. This mode of governance ought to be followed in social life. The way God acts in governing the world, which bears witness to such great regard for human freedom, should inspire the wisdom of those who govern human communities. They should behave as ministers of divine providence.

1885 The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism. It sets limits for state intervention. It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals and societies. It tends toward the establishment of true international order.

-- Catechism of the Catholic Church