The Federal Budget and Jewish Values
In the wide gamut of policy questions, the federal budget is not usually thought of as the sexiest of issues. Mandatory versus discretionary spending, budget outlays and reserve funds…. With the exception of budget wonks (as my fiancé calls me), who really cares?
However, what appears to our glazed over eyes to be numbers on a ledger, in reality has important affects for real people’s lives and their ability to access needed services. The budget answers questions such as: How many low-income seniors will be able to heat their homes this winter? How much aid will Israel receive? How many children will be able to go to the doctor if the cost of insurance is beyond their parents’ means? What is the size of our military? How many people in developing countries can access treatment for malaria and HIV/AIDS? How many pregnant and nursing mothers will be able to access nutritionally appropriate diets for the new lives they are bringing into the world? How much are we willing to invest in protecting our environment?
When viewed in this light, the budget becomes a moral document, and as a community of faith, driven by the mandate, “tzedek, tzedek tirdof”, we have a lot to say about what the final budget resolution looks like.
So, how are our Jewish values and priorities reflected in the administration’s FY2009 budget released yesterday?
