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04 Oct 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The Letter to the Hebrews this Sunday speaks of the bringing of many to glory. Ending months of speculation, President Barack Obama travels to Copenhagen, Denmark Thursday night in the hope that his presence will help bring glory to his adopted hometown of Chicago. The city is among the finalists to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The president will join First Lady Michelle Obama, a Chicago native, who arrived in Copenhagen Wednesday to lend her support to Chicago's bid. The International Olympic Committee will announce its decision Friday. The First Lady drew laughs with her comment regarding their joint presentation: "We're not going to sing together or anything. . . . All I have are my stories, my experiences as a Chicagoan, as an American, as someone who believes deeply that health and fitness have got to play a greater role in the lives of our kids and our communities, and as someone who believes that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the best way to bring that message home." House Minority Leader John Boehner, however, won't be in the cheering section Friday. "Listen, I think it's a great idea to promote Chicago but he's the president of the United States, not the mayor of Chicago," Boehner said Wednesday. "And the problems we have here at home affect all Americans and that's where his attention ought to be." "You're darned if you do, you're darned if you don't. I'd rather be on the side of doing it," Michelle Obama told reporters, referring to her husband's Olympics decision. "One conversation or one example or illustration that connects could make a difference, and our view is we're not taking a chance." Source: Articles by Peter Slevin for the Washington Post, Jake Sherman for Politico, and Nancy Armour for Associated Press

barack obama chicago copenhagen olympics 2016 summer olympics michelle obama international olympic committee john boehner
Is the health-care debate ready for prime time?

14 Feb 2010 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The just person “delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night,” the psalmist informs us this Sunday. Republicans responded with anything but delight this week to President Barack Obama’s invitation to discuss health-care legislation in a half-day, televised gathering on February 25. House and Senate Republican leaders said Obama and his fellow Democrats must first shelve their long-debated health care bill, which was on the verge of becoming law until Republicans won a special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts last month. “Why are we going to talk about a bill we can’t pass?” asked House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). The White House says Obama, who has made health-care reform his top domestic priority, has no plans to start over but is willing to hear Republicans’ ideas on providing millions of Americans with medical insurance and other aspects of the health program. “Let’s put the best ideas on the table,” he said. He also stated that his goals continue to be expanding health insurance coverage for most Americans, eliminating abuses by insurance companies, and lowering the costs of health care. “I am going to be starting from scratch in the sense that I will be open to any ideas that help promote these goals,” Obama said during a brief Tuesday press conference “What I will not do, what I don’t think makes sense and I don’t think the American people want to see, would be another year of partisan wrangling around these issues.” Republicans may have little incentive to cooperate with Obama on health care. They won the Massachusetts seat campaigning against Obama’s plans and hope to use the issue to score big gains in the November congressional elections. Source: Articles by David Jackson for USA TODAY and the Associated Press

barack obama health care reform republicans john boehner us congress
GOP makes grand gains, but will bipartisanship prevail?

07 Nov 2010 - Preaching the News for Sunday

This Sunday’s gospel focuses on questions surrounding the resurrection of the dead. Two years after many pundits questioned whether the Republican Party would survive their 2008 drubbing, the GOP came roaring back to life in midterm elections with major victories on both the federal and state levels. Democrats managed to retain a slim majority in the U.S. Senate and eked out victories in a few bellwether races. Republicans captured control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday as a result of a nearly unprecedented 60-seat shift in power, and they expanded their voice in the Senate. They rode a wave of voter discontent as they dealt a setback to President Barack Obama only two years after his triumphal victory. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the House Democratic leader, narrowly prevailed in his key race, and his party hung onto control of the Senate by winning hard-fought contests in California, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado, and West Virginia. Republicans picked up at least six Democratic seats, including the Illinois seat formerly held by the president. Several “tea party” favorites won, including Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky, two candidates who were initially shunned by the establishment. “The American people’s voice was heard at the ballot box,” said Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio, who is positioned to become the next Speaker of the House (and the first Catholic Speaker from his party). “We have real work to do, and this is not the time for celebration.” The most expensive midterm election campaign in the nation’s history, fueled by a raft of contributions from outside interest groups and millions in anonymous donations to candidates, played out across a wide battleground that stretched from Alaska to Maine. Republicans also took control of governors' mansions across the country Tuesday, flipping at least a half-dozen states that had been governed by Democrats. The new crop of Republican governors aims to flex political muscle in the 2012 presidential race. “Attend to my outcry,” pleads the psalmist this Sunday, “incline your ear to me; hear my word.” The question now is, will the partisan political bickering of recent years give way to true bipartisanship or will we see more of the same in Washington, leading to further gridlock? After acknowledging that election results amounted to a "shellacking,” President Obama on Wednesday sought to tread a careful line, suggesting he would cooperate with Republicans where it was possible and confront them when it was not. "No one party will be able to dictate where we go from here," he said, a clear warning to Republicans that he won't simply bow to their demands for a sharply conservative switch in economic policy. With his comments Obama largely followed the lead of Republican leaders who said earlier in the day they were willing to work with Democrats--within limits. After a bitter campaign season, can a weary electorate, in the words of 2 Thessalonians, still have "good hopes"? Source: Articles by Jeff Zeleny and Peter Baker for the New York Times, Julie Pace and Scott Sonner for the Associated Press, Ronald Brownstein for NationalJournal.com, Stephanie Simon for the Wall Street Journal, and Marian Wang for Propublica.org

barack obama harry reid elections democrats republicans john boehner democratic party midterm elections republican party
Arizona shootings leave nation stunned and grieving

16 Jan 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The prophet Isaiah this Sunday speaks the rousing words through which the Lord gives strength to the people of Israel so they will be a light to the nations. The husband of hospitalized Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords spoke of her fighting spirit and his hope for her recovery after she was shot last Saturday in an attack that shocked the nation. “I can only think that God has more important things planned for her in the future,” said Mark Kelly, a Navy pilot, Desert Storm veteran, and astronaut with NASA's space shuttle program. The killing spree at a public gathering for Gifford’s constituents killed six--including a federal judge and 9-year-old girl--and wounded 14 others. Shaken by the attempted assassination of their colleague and the killing of one of her aides, House members convened at the Capitol on Wednesday to honor the rampage's dead and wounded and begin reviewing security concerns with law enforcement officials. The attack on Giffords, a relatively centrist Democrat known for her easygoing charm, and its unremarkable setting at a weekend “Congress on Your Corner” event for constituents, left fellow lawmakers rattled and with a sense that democracy itself had been a victim of the attack. At the same time, many Republican lawmakers quickly rejected any suggestion that gun control laws need to be tightened, even to limit access to expanded ammunition clips like the one that the police say shooter Jared L. Loughner used outside a Tucson supermarket on Saturday. With all eyes on the rostrum of the House, and many Americans still forming their first impressions of him, speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio struck a bipartisan and conciliatory tone he spoke. “Our hearts are broken,” he said at one point, “but our spirit is not.” Some commentators have drawn a connection between the heated political rhetoric of the past several years, including gun and shooting metaphors used by Sarah Palin, and the violence in Arizona. In an online video Wednesday that stirred controversy anew for its use of the term “blood libel,” Palin denounced those criticisms: "Especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn." Speaking at a Tucson memorial service Wednesday evening, President Obama implored Americans to honor those slain and injured by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other “in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” Following a hospital bedside visit with Rep. Giffords, the target of the assassination, he said: “She knows we’re here, and she knows we love her.” “Those who died here, those who saved lives here--they help me believe,” the president said. “We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us.” Source: Articles by David M. Herszenhorn and Jennifer Stainhauer for the New York Times, Adam Nagourney for Politico, Julie Pace and Ben Feller for the Associated Press, Ted Rowlands and Jessica Yellin for CNN News, and Yahoo News

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Taxing debate dominates deficit reduction efforts

25 Sep 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The Lord poses a question to the people of Israel in this Sunday’s first reading: “Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” That is the political question of the moment in negotiations to reduce the federal deficit. Drawing immediate condemnation from congressional Republicans, President Barack Obama unveiled a new deficit reduction plan Monday in which he vowed to veto any package that cuts into Medicare without raising "serious revenues" from wealthy Americans and corporations. "We can't just cut our way out of this hole. It's going to take a balanced approach," Obama said. "It's only right that we ask everyone to pay their fair share." Responding to criticism from some Republican leaders that he is engaging in “class warfare” by targeting the wealthiest for tax increases, the president responded, "If asking a billionaire to pay the same rate as a plumber or a teacher makes me a warrior for the middle class, I wear that charge as a badge of honor." Speaker of the House John Boehner on Wednesday said the president was looking only toward the ballot box in 2012 with his deficit reduction plan. “It’s pretty clear that the president decided to forget his role as president and leader of our nation at a time of economic uncertainty and to begin the campaign for his reelection some 14 months away.” "What is your opinion?” Jesus asks Jewish religious leaders as he challenges them to determine which of the sons in the gospel parable does the will of the father. When asked their opinion of the president’s proposal, the public demonstrates wide support, according a new Gallup poll. By a two-to-one ratio, respondents support Obama's plan to increase taxes on the wealthy and big corporations. The same share believes his proposed stimulus, the American Jobs Act, will create jobs and grow the economy. Sources: Articles by Derek Thompson for The Atlantic, Seung Min Kim for Politico, and David Jackson for USA TODAY

barack obama budget deficit john boehner jobs deficit reduction american jobs act
Promises to keep—on both sides of the aisle

11 Nov 2012 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Christ “will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation,” this Sunday’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews attests. Now that the campaign is over and voters have spoken, both parties promise to bring a bipartisan spirit to politics. And it is up to citizens to keep them to their promises in the days ahead and help bring together a divided nation.One of the big stories on election night was the role played by minorities in giving President Barack Obama a second term. Strong turnout from Latinos, African Americans, and Asians as well as a decided edge among women and younger voters propelled him to a convincing win. In his victory speech, the president offered an early olive branch. “In the coming weeks and months,” he said, “I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together.”Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called on Republicans to cooperate with an expanded Democratic majority Wednesday, a day after the Democrats picked up at least one more seat in that chamber. "It is better to dance than to fight," said Reid. "It is better to work together. Everything doesn't have to be a fight."For his part, Republican House Speaker John A. Boehner offered a potential path to compromise, saying Republicans are “willing to accept new revenue” to tame the soaring national debt and avert an ugly battle over the approaching “fiscal cliff,” a series of severe tax hikes and program cuts scheduled to take effect in January if Congress and the president cannot find a better path forward on fiscal issues.Boehner said Tuesday’s election amounted to a plea from voters for the parties to lay down their weapons of the past two years and “do what’s best for our country. That is the will of the people. And we answer to them.” Sources: Articles by Ted Barrett, Catherine E. Shoichet, and Ashley Fantz for CNN, Lori Montgomeryfor the Washington Post, and Paul Taylor and D’Vera Cohn for the Pew Research Center

barack obama harry reid congress democrats republicans john boehner minorities fiscal cliff presidential election
Year-end fiscal cliffhanger

16 Dec 2012 - Preaching the News for Sunday

As we reach the halfway point of Advent this Gaudete Sunday, Alice Camille in this week’s Exploring the Word writes of the crossroads between testaments old and new upon which John the Baptist stands. The nation stands at a crossroads this week as well: Will politicos reach a budget deal in time to avert the looming “fiscal cliff” that everyone says they want to avoid but no one seems willing to compromise to do so?On Monday President Barack Obama presented a new offer, and on Tuesday Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner made a rare statement from the floor of the House admonishing the president to offer more specifics. “Where are the spending cuts?” he asked. “The longer the White House slow-walks this process, the closer our economy gets to the fiscal cliff.”For his part the president said that if Republicans relent on their resistance to tax rates going up on the wealthy, “then we are prepared to do some tough things on the spending side. . . .Taxes are going to go up one way or another,” he said, “and I think the key is that taxes go up on high-end individuals.”If the public back-and-forth between Boehner and the president reflects what's happening behind the scenes, negotiations to avoid the cliff have a long way to go in the short time remaining in 2012, observers say. Economists have warned that failure to strike a deal could send the economy back into a recession.A senior Republican fiscal hawk, Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, faulted both sides for playing politics. "There's no leadership in Washington either at the presidential level or the leadership level in Congress," he said Tuesday night. "People are playing to the media rather than playing to the future of the country."Homily hint: With economic uncertainty in the air, and pressure to buy gifts upon us, this Sunday offers an excellent opportunity to remind those in attendance that joy has no price tag and rejoicing carries no debt-limit. Encourage one and all to search out alternative ways of giving that involve their time and talent more than their treasure. Sources: Articles by Jackie Calmes and Jonathan Weisman for the New York Times and Fred Barbash for Reuters

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The Union labeled “stronger” but still needing work

17 Feb 2013 - Preaching the News for Sunday

In this Sunday’s reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the people of how the Lord delivered them from slavery and gave them “this land flowing with milk and honey.” In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Barack Obama also spoke of difficulties left behind but wasn’t ready to describe the current situation in such rosy tones.“Together we have cleared away the rubble of crisis and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is stronger,” the president said, but “we gather here knowing that there are millions of Americans whose hard work and dedication have not yet been rewarded.”A major focus of the president’s speech was to encourage a bitterly divided Congress to move beyond the strident politics of partisanship that plague the nation. “The greatest nation on Earth cannot keep conducting its business by drifting from one manufactured crisis to the next,” Obama said. “The American people have worked too hard, for too long, rebuilding from one crisis to see their elected officials cause another.”On Wednesday the president began a three-day tour to promote the economic proposals he unveiled in his address, including raising the minimum wage to $9 an hour. “Our job as Americans is to restore that basic bargain that says if you work hard, if you're willing to meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead,” Obama told factory workers in North Carolina.House Speaker John Boehner, however, opposes raising the minimum wage. "When you raise the price of employment, guess what happens? You get less of it," Boehner said Wednesday. "At a time when the American people are still asking the question, 'Where are the jobs?,' why would we want to make it harder for small employers to hire people?"Homily hint: The political debate over immigration reform is one of many sure to heat up over the next months. This might be a good season to emphasize the message of inclusivity Saint Paul delivers this Sunday to the Romans: “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek: the same Lord is Lord of all." Sources: Articles by Christi Parsons and Kathleen Hennessey for the Los AngelesTimes, Tom Cohen for CNN, and Ashley Parker for the New York Times

barack obama congress john boehner state of the union jobs minimum wage
Both sides dig in for shutdown showdown

06 Oct 2013 - Preaching the News for Sunday

“How long, O Lord?” is the plaintive cry of the frustrated prophet in this Sunday’s first reading. Witnessing the behavior of a combative U.S. Congress unable to resolve a budget showdown that has shuttered many government agencies, many Americans are asking the same question. But while Republicans want to derail or stall healthcare reform, President Barack Obama and Democrats respond, as in the first reading, “it will surely come” and “will not disappoint.”After weeks of talking past each other, congressional leaders and the president talked to each other Wednesday evening. The White House meeting served at least one purpose, in that key players in the debate gathered together in the same room for over an hour: Obama called it "useful," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said it was "worthwhile," and House Speaker John Boehner cast it as a "polite conversation." But while the sides talked, there was no indication they agreed on anything or even shifted their views—but emerged evidently no closer to a deal to halt the government's budget stalemate.“This shutdown is not about deficits. It’s not about budgets,” Obama had said Tuesday, flanked in the White House Rose Garden by about a dozen uninsured people who will be eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. “This shutdown is about rolling back our efforts to provide health insurance to folks who don’t have it. This, more than anything else, seems to be what the Republican Party stands for these days. I know it’s strange that one party would make keeping people uninsured the centerpiece of their agenda, but that apparently is what it is."”At times like this, the American people expect their leaders to come together to find ways to resolve their differences,” said Speaker of the House John Boehner said. “The president reiterated one more time tonight that he will not negotiate,” to which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid responded, “We’re through playing these little games.”Homily hint: While politicians dig their heels in during the shutdown, dozens of businesses in and around Washington are showing their solidarity by offering furloughed employees free or discounted food and activities. There’s a lesson there for all of us: When we support each other, all of us are made stronger. Sources: Articles by Karen Tumulty, Lori Montgomery, Debbi Wilgoren, Monica Hesse,Lisa Rein, and Dan Balz for the Washington Post, Anneta Konstantinides andNicki Rossoll for Good Morning America, and Tom Cohen and Greg Botelho for CNN

barack obama harry reid congress nancy pelosi john boehner budget affordable care act shutdown
Default deal finally done

20 Oct 2013 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The psalmist this Sunday says that the Lord, guardian of Israel, “neither slumbers nor sleeps,” while the second reading encourages us to “be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” Sleepless nights and persistentce finally achieved a deal that reopens the federal government and raise the nation’s debt ceiling. But damage has been done.Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, said on the floor of the U.S. Senate that his party and Republicans had found their way to a compromise to “provide our economy with the stability it desperately needs” and avert financial disaster. His Republican counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell, offered his blessing: “This is far less than many of us had hoped for, frankly, but is far better than what some had sought.”There was no sign that Republicans had extracted any major concessions on President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, as some had hoped, other than possibly tighter scrutiny on who gets federal subsidies for insurance.House Speaker John Boehner that he would allow a vote in the House, suggesting it would pass with overwhelming Democratic support and enough Republicans to win a majority. “We fought the good fight,” he said. “We just didn’t win.”The compromise would fund the federal government through January 15 and extend the borrowing power, known as the debt ceiling, through February 7. It also calls for an agreement by mid-December on a long-term budget plan.Sen. John McCain of Arizona gave a nod to bipartisanship but was in no mood to celebrate. “I think it’s obvious that we are now seeing the end of this agonizing odyssey that this body has been put through, but far more importantly the American people have been put through,” he told the Senate. “It’s one of the more shameful chapters that I have seen in the years that I have spent here in the Senate.”The White House commended the Senate for its leadership, but Jay Carney, the press secretary, was quick to remind reporters of the economic damage already done. “There are no winners here,” he said. “The American people have paid a price for this. And nobody who’s sent here to Washington by the American people can call themselves a winner if the American people have paid a price for what’s happened.”Homily hint: There are likely a number of people in your congregation who suffered economically during this period. It is time that we, as members of caring communities, come together to help those hurt most directly to recover and move forward—and to let our elected representatives know we do not appreciate livelihoods and government services being used as political bargaining chips. Source: An article by Michael O'Briend for NBC News

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