Advocates for the poor praise first Obama budget as "dramatic step" in restoring "the common good"

[ClarkUSA]

So much for President Obama being "more like Reagan" or "Bush-lite"...

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Seeing President Barack Obama's first federal budget proposal in his still young administration, Catholic Charities officials and others committed to meeting the needs of the poor are breathing a bit easier.

For the first time in years they are seeing a spending plan that boosts spending for health care wellness and prevention efforts, education, affordable housing, food stamps and Medicaid for cash-strapped states... Hill's comments reflect a growing sentiment across a widening circle of advocates -- especially those outside of faith-based communities -- that government budgets are moral documents that reflect the policy priorities of the nation.

As introduced, the fiscal year 2010 budget proposed by the White House places more emphasis on aiding those most in need while shifting a portion of the tax burden from the poor and middle class to the country's wealthiest earners...As the budget debate unfolds in the coming weeks, the Obama White House has pledged to fight for what it believes best serves the country. Advocates are sharpening their talking points by stressing the importance of supporting the poor and vulnerable, especially in a time of severe economic recession... "This budget debate, we believe, should be seen in a values context," the Rev. Jim Wallis, executive director and CEO of Sojourners, a progressive evangelical organization that addresses justice issues, told the teleconference. "A budget tells us what's most important and what's most valued .... So it's appropriate...to do what's called a values audit of a budget or a moral audit of our priorities... This budget, I think, is a dramatic step in trying to restore some sense of the common good."

The shift in priorities is "exciting," said Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service who is executive director of Network, the Catholic social justice lobby which has fought budget cuts in social services..."It is the Obama administration putting down all that they believe in in a focused, concerted effort, not just giving lip service to their policy priorities, but to make it real," she said. "Yeah, there's a big price tag and that makes me nervous. But for once there is a realistic assessment, not halfway measures, and a promise for implementation. It's stunning."

Know hope.