Catholic warning about racism to Republican candidates

For the right, protecting life is solely about abortion. There’s no interest in providing pre-natal care or medical care. And the moment the birth is announced, they don’t give a shit about the kid – especially if it isn’t white.  Not only do they spend a large percentage of time railing about cutting back on assisting the poor (another real “WWJD” leadership moment from the Christian Republicans), but these cuts are always associated with black people on welfare.  Yet the race who who receives the largest percentage of  food stamps is white.  And if it’s not black, it’s about how hispanics are destroying the economy because they get so many food stamps.  The “other immigrant status” of recipients accounts for 3% of total distribution.  3% isn’t changing the world.  It would be better if it were 2% or 1%, sure. But 3% is hardly bringing America too it’s knees nor is it ruining the entire system – and it’s certainly not a widespread problem.

Catholics Warn Gingrich, Santorum On Race Baiting

The signers of the open letter, which was released Friday (Jan. 20), cited Gingrich’s repeated criticisms of Barack Obama as a “food stamp president” who encourages government dependency for the poor, especially for African-Americans.

They also criticized Santorum’s statement that he does not want “to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money.” 

“Some presidential candidates now courting ‘values voters’ seem to have forgotten that defending human life and dignity does not stop with protecting the unborn,” the authors write.

“We remind Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Santorum that Catholic bishops describe racism as an ‘intrinsic evil’ and consistently defend vital government programs such as food stamps and unemployment benefits that help struggling Americans.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, [over] one-third of food-stamp recipients are white, while 22 percent are African-American and 16 percent Hispanic. Some 41 percent of all recipients live in households where family members are employed. Surveys show that strong majorities of Americans say they do not want food stamp programs cut.

 

Food Stamp Participants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/snap/FILES/Participation/2010Characteristics.pdf

Catholics issue warning on racism: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/catholics-ginrich-santorum-race_n_1220152.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl7%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D129191