Moral Side

Moral Side Topics for Sunday, May 6, 2012

TOPIC 1: New Jersey Autistic Boy Records Teachers' Alleged Abuse

A New Jersey dad who suspected something was "horrifyingly wrong" at school when his autistic son began acting violently had the boy wear a digital recorder and discovered teachers verbally abusing him.  Stuart Chaifetz, 44, described his 10-year-old son Akian as a "sweet and gentle child" with a penchant for acrobatics and a deep bond with his three dogs.  So Chaifetz said it was totally out of character when he began receiving reports from Horace Mann Elementary School that Akian was hitting his teacher and a teacher's aide.  "The thing that said to me that something horrifyingly wrong was going on was that he was hitting the teacher and the aide. I have never seen him hit anyone. He's just not a violent kid," Chaifetz told ABCNews.com.

Akian spent six months working with behaviorists and other specialists who were trying to find the problem. Finally, Akian was put in a controlled scenario that pushed him to his limits and, still, he did not lash out violently.  "I realized that there was something terrible going on in that classroom and I needed to know what it was," Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz put a digital recorder in Akian's pocket on a February school day. Akian is in a self-contained autism class with five other students and the device recorded six-and-a-half hours of audio.  When Akian came home from school and Chaifetz listened to the audio, he was shocked by what he heard. "When I listened to what they had done to him, I just shattered inside," Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz heard the teacher and aide calling Akian names, making fun of him, yelling at him and having inappropriate conversations in front of the children.  "The culture was so dysfunctional that an adult felt she could make fun of a child with a disability and nothing would happen to her," Chaifetz said. "If it wasn't captured on the audio, she probably would still be making fun of my son. That's a bully."

Akian, according to Chaifetz, has a tendency to speak softly to himself. When he was doing so in class, a teacher or aide can be heard saying angrily, "Who are you talking to? Nobody. Knock it off." Akian is also told several times to shut his mouth.  After being scolded several times, Akian begins to cry and the administrator said, "Go ahead and scream because guess what? You're going to get nothing until your mouth is shut."

At another point, the teacher or aide calls Akian a "bastard" when he will not stop crying.  "He's the best human being I've ever met and these people were taking it away because they were crushing his spirit," Chaifetz said. "If I had not spoken out and released that video, it would have been like it never happened, except to Akian because it happened to him and he knows it."

Chaifetz took the audio to school officials.  "They were shocked and horrified as I was and I appreciate the fact that they took immediate action and fired one of the aides in the class," he said. "The problem is that they didn't fire the teacher because of tenure and she was moved to another school."

Chaifetz was outraged that the teacher was not fired.  "I don't want her teaching anyone ever again," he said. "She lost her privilege to do that."

The Cherry Hill school district issued a statement on its website regarding the incident, which included the following:  We strongly believe that the district acted swiftly, appropriately and judiciously with regard to the staff in the classroom," Board of Education President Seth Klukoff wrote. "What's more, we are confident that these decisions were informed first and foremost by compassion for the students."

Superintendent Dr. Maureen Reusche added, "Although this is a personnel matter and there are specifics that I cannot legally address publicly, I want to assure our parents that the individuals who are heard on the recording raising their voices and inappropriately addressing children no longer work in the district and have not since shortly after we received the copy of the recording."

CONTINUE READING: http://abcnews.go.com/US/jersey-autistic-boy-records-teachers-alleged-abuse/story?id=16209626

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the school board’s reaction was sufficient?

TOPIC 2: N.Y. Mom Fired After Donating Kidney to Help Her Boss

A New York Long Island woman said she was fired after she donated a kidney to help save the life of her boss.  Debbie Stevens, a 47-year-old divorced mother of two, filed a formal complaint with the New York State Human Rights Commission last Friday, claiming her boss used her for her organ then fired her "after the woman got what she wanted." Stevens' boss, 61-year-old Jackie Brucia, is one of the West Islip controllers for Atlantic Automotive Group, a billion-dollar dealership operator. Brucia hired Stevens in January 2009 as an assistant.  "She just started treating me horribly, viciously, inhumanly after the surgery," Stevens told ABCNews.com. "It was almost like she hired me just to get my kidney." Although Stevens turned out to be less than a perfect kidney match for Brucia, Stevens donated her organ to an out-of-state stranger so that Brucia could move up on the organ donor list.

Stevens left the company in June 2010 to move to Florida. She returned to New York in September to visit her daughter, and decided to stop in at the dealership, according to the complaint. It was during this visit that Brucia told Stevens of her need for a kidney transplant.  "She said she had a possible donor, a friend or something," Stevens said. "But I told her if anything happened that I'd be willing to donate my kidney. She kind of jokingly replied, 'You never know, I may have to take you up on that one day.'"

A few months later, Stevens moved back to Long Island and asked Brucia if she had any job openings. Brucia hired her within weeks.  Then, in January 2011, Stevens said her boss called her into her office and asked if she was serious about donating her kidney.  "I said, 'Yeah, sure. This isn't a joking matter,'" Stevens said. "I did not do it for job security. I didn't do it to get a raise. I did it because it's who I am.

"I didn't want her to die," Stevens said.

When tests revealed that Stevens was not the best match, doctors agreed to let her give her kidney to someone in Missouri, which gave Brucia a higher place on the organ donor list.  Stevens underwent surgery on Aug. 10, 2011. She said doctors hit a nerve in her leg, causing her discomfort and digestive problems.  She returned to work four weeks later, and said that's when the problems began.  "I don't have words strong enough or large enough to describe her treatment of me," Stevens said. "Screaming at me about things I never did, carrying on to the point where she wouldn't even let me leave my desk. It was constant, constant screaming."

Stevens said she was demoted and moved to a car dealership 50 miles from her home. She said the mental stress got even worse, with her supervisor calling her an "actress."

"It got so bad that I'd start to tear up at times," Stevens said.  After consulting a psychiatrist for her mental stress, Stevens' hired attorneys who sent a letter to Atlantic Automotive Group.  Stevens was fired within a week.  When reached by ABC News, AAG referred all calls about the case to Jackie Brucia, Stevens' supervisor, who could not be reached for comment, at either the car dealership or her home. It is not known whether Brucia has legal representation at this time.  Stevens' attorney, civil rights lawyer Lenard Leeds, said he planned to file a discrimination lawsuit against AAG, and would likely seek millions of dollars in compensation.  "Our ultimate goal is to bring this before federal court," Leeds said. "We're alleging they discriminated against her for her disability and they retaliated against her when she complained about the harassment."

Leeds said the damages sought will be for Stevens' lost pay, psychological and physical well being.  "I have no comment on her. I'm just going walk ahead and live my life," Stevens said.

WATCH STORY: http://abcnews.go.com/News/york-mom-fired-donating-kidney-boss/story?id=16195691

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on this?

 

Catholic Bishops Fight Back Against Health Care Mandates

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a “call to action to defend religious liberty” and is urging lay individuals to strive to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights.

In a news release on Thursday (April 12, 2012), the USCCB stated that it is calling upon dioceses to pursue a “religious liberty fortnight” from June 21^st through July 4^th, a special period of prayer for religious liberty. The bishops have published a document entitled, “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty,” in which they assert:

We are Catholics. We are Americans. We are proud to be both, grateful for the gift of faith which is ours as Christian disciples, and grateful for the gift of liberty which is ours as American citizens. To be Catholic and American should mean not having to choose one over the other.

We have been staunch defenders of religious liberty in the past. We have a solemn duty to discharge that duty today…for religious liberty is under attack, both at home and abroad.

The document provides some “concrete examples” of how religious liberty is under attack. Among them are:

• The HHS mandate for contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs
• State immigration laws which forbid the Church to provide “Christian charity and pastoral care” to undocumented immigrants.
• A 2009 bill put forward by the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut Legislature that would have forced Catholic parishes to be restructured according to a “congregational model.”
• The University of California Hastings College of Law’s denial of student organization status to the Christian Legal Society.
• The termination of Catholic foster care and adoption services in some cities because the charities refused to place children with same-sex or unmarried couples.

In their document, the bishops quote recently retired Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, who said, in response to the HHS mandate: “I cannot imagine a more direct and frontal attack on freedom of conscience than this ruling today. This decision must be fought against with all the energies the Catholic community can muster.”

To that end, the bishops urge that the fourteen days- or fortnight- from June 21^st- the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More- to July 4^th, Independence Day, be declared a “fortnight for freedom.”

by Dr. Susan Berry (article)

Topics for "The Moral Side of the News" Broadcast on Sunday, December 4, 2011

Below are the topics for "The Moral Side of the News" program broadcast on WHAS-TV at 5:30am and FAITH CHANNEL at 12:00nn on Sunday, December 4, 2011.  The program also airs on various Clear Channel radio station in Louisville on Sundays at 7:00am or 7:30am.  The program airs on WHAS 840AM radio at 9:30pm on Sundays.

TOPIC 1:

Jefferson County Attorney to sue U of L over hospital merger information

LOUISVILLE, Ky., (WHAS11)— The Jefferson County Attorney is suing the University of Louisville to get additional information about the possible hospital merger.  The merger proposed is between UofL, Jewish, Saint Mary's and Saint Joseph's of Lexington.  County Attorney Mike O'Connell says he plans to sue U of L because they didn't provide documents related to the proposed merger.  He says there are too many questions about the proposed deal.  The proposed merger has been controversial because of beliefs in the Catholic health care system about reproductive and end of life issues.  The governor has to officially sign off on the merger and that hasn't happened yet.

WATCH STORY: http://www.whas11.com/news/health/Jefferson-County-Attorney-to-su-U-of-L-over--134676363.html

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on this? Should the public be concerned about this merger?

TOPIC 2:

Syracuse Chancellor: Boeheim's Our Coach

Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor gave men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim a vote of confidence Tuesday amid an investigation of child molestation allegations against his former longtime assistant coach.  Cantor emerged from an economic development conference with state officials and said: "Coach Boeheim is our coach."  Some commentators and sex abuse victims' advocates had said Boeheim should resign or be fired after three men, including two former Syracuse ballboys, accused former assistant coach Bernie Fine of molesting them and Boeheim verbally attacked the accusers.  "Coach Boeheim is our coach; he's getting the team ready tonight," Cantor said. "We're very pleased with what he said Sunday night, and we stand by it."  After initially saying Fine's first two accusers were lying to make money in the wake of the Penn State University sexual abuse scandal, Boeheim backed off those comments in a statement Sunday.

"What is most important is that this matter be fully investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so that the truth can be found," Boeheim said after Fine's firing. "I deeply regret any statements I made that might have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of abuse."  Bobby Davis first contacted Syracuse police in 2002 about Fine, but there was no investigation because the statute of limitations had passed.  On Nov. 17, his allegations resurfaced.  Davis, now 39, told ESPN that Fine molested him beginning in 1984 and that the sexual contact continued until he was around 27. A ball boy for six years, Davis said the abuse occurred at Fine's home, at Syracuse basketball facilities and on team road trips, including the 1987 Final Four. Davis' stepbrother, Mike Lang, 45, who also was a ball boy, also told ESPN that Fine began molesting him while he was in fifth or sixth grade.

On Sunday, a third man, Zach Tomaselli, who faces sexual assault charges in Maine involving a 14-year-old boy, said he told police last week that Fine molested him in 2002 in a Pittsburgh hotel room.  Fine has denied the allegations.

CONTINUE READING: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/syracuse-chancellor-boeheims-coach-15049434

RELATED STORY:

Syracuse Chancellor Sends Email About Firing

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/syracuse-chancellor-sends-email-firing-15037879

Video: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/syracuse-scandal-coach-accused-15043887

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the latest developments at Syracuse? What are your thoughts on how the University police handled the allegations in 2002?

The New Health Insurance Law Begins to Unravel - Major Program Financially Unsustainable

The Obama administration on October 14, 2011 pulled the plug on a major program in the president's signature health overhaul law – a long-term care insurance plan dogged from the beginning by doubts over its financial solvency.  The program became the first casualty in the political and policy wars over the health care law. It had been expected to launch in 2013.

"This is a victory for the American taxpayer and future generations," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., spearheading opposition in the Senate. "The administration is finally admitting (the long-term care plan) is unsustainable and cannot be implemented."

Proponents, including many groups that fought to pass the health care law, have vowed a vigorous effort to rescue the program, insisting that Congress gave the administration broad authority to make changes.  Known as CLASS, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program was a long-standing priority of the late Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Although sponsored by the government, CLASS was supposed to function as a self-sustaining voluntary insurance plan, open to working adults regardless of age or health. Workers would pay an affordable monthly premium during their careers and could collect a modest daily cash benefit of at least $50 (a minimum of $1,500) if they became disabled later in life. The money could go for services at home or to help with nursing home bills.

A central design flaw dogged CLASS. Unless large numbers of healthy people willingly sign up during their working years, soaring premiums driven by the needs of disabled beneficiaries would destabilize it, eventually requiring a taxpayer bailout.

After months insisting that could be fixed, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius finally acknowledged she doesn't see how.  "Despite our best analytical efforts, I do not see a viable path forward for CLASS implementation at this time," Sebelius said in a letter to congressional leaders. 

The law required the administration to certify that CLASS would remain financially solvent for 75 years before it could be put into place.  Officials said they discovered they could not make CLASS both affordable and financially solvent while keeping it a voluntary program open to virtually all workers, as the law also required.

Monthly premiums would have ranged from $235 to $391, even as high as $3,000 under some scenarios, the administration said. At those prices, healthy people were unlikely to sign up. Suggested changes aimed at discouraging enrollment by people in poor health could have opened the program to court challenges, officials said.

"If healthy purchasers are not attracted, ...then premiums will increase, which will make it even more unattractive to purchasers who could also obtain policies in the private market," Kathy Greenlee, the lead official on CLASS, said in a memo to Sebelius. That "would cause the program to quickly collapse."

That's the same conclusion a top government expert reached in 2009. Nearly a year before the health care law passed, Richard Foster, head of long-range economic forecasts for Medicare warned administration and congressional officials that CLASS would be unworkable. His warnings were disregarded, as Obama declared his support for adding the long-term care plan to his health care bill.

The demise of CLASS immediately touched off speculation about its impact on the federal budget. Although no premiums are likely to be collected, the program still counts as reducing the federal deficit by about $80 billion over the next 10 years. That's because of a rule that would have required workers to pay in for at least five years before they could collect any benefits.  "The CLASS Act was a budget gimmick that might enhance the numbers on a Washington bureaucrat's spreadsheet but was destined to fail in the real world," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Administration officials said Obama's next budget would reflect the decision not to go forward. Even without CLASS premiums, they said the health care law will still reduce the deficit by more than $120 billion over 10 years.

"We're disappointed that (Sebelius) has prematurely stated she does not see a path forward," AARP, [the liberal] seniors lobby, said in a statement.

Source

Top Five Issues for 2011

What are the issues facing our communities, nation, and world in 2011.  I have identified five areas that shall be at the forefront in 2011.  The overarching theme for these five issues is the continuing assault on Western culture, values, and democracy.  I welcome your comments.

1. The Assault on the Foundational Values of the American Nation.  The values of the American Nation are threefold:  "Liberty," "E Pluribus Unum," and "In God We Trust."  If these sound familiar, they are printed on our coins.  These values are under assault.  Liberty, or equality of opportunity, is being replaced as a primary value by Equality, or the guaranteed equal outcome.  E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one), is being replaced by political correctness and divisive diversity.  In God We Trust, or faith in God, is being replaced by trust in government and an anything-goes I-can-co-what-I-want approach to morality.  Issues within this general area will be family, abortion, protection of children, education, marriage, drug-abuse, and religion in society.
2. The Conflict with Middle Eastern Fascism and Asian Communism.  Western Democracy has always opposed and been in conflict with systems that enslave and diminish human beings.  Western Democracy has defeated European Imperialism, European Fascism, European Communism, and Middle Eastern Imperialism in the Twentieth Century.  The conflicts for 2011 and for the Twenty-First Century are Middle Eastern Fascism (e.g., Iran), Asian Fascism (North Korea), and Asian Communism (China).
3. Border Security and Related Issues.  Illegal immigration, the smuggling of drugs and human beings across the border, protection against terrorists, cyber-terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and the current administrations lethargic and clumbsy response to these problems are a major area of concern for 2011.  One of the primary tasks of the federal government is protection of its citizens.
4. Economic Strains in the US and Western Europe.  This area includes the collapse of Western European socialism.  In the US there are the continuing conflicts over health care, taxation, national and individual debt, unemployment, and bailouts of large companies and state and local governments.  The uncertainties of the housing and financial markets are adding to the problems.  No longer will we be able to assume (or hope) that governments will be able to take care of every problem.
5. Transformation of the Christian Church.  I list this area of interest not because it is the least.  Indeed, it is the most significant, but will occur over a long period of time.  I list it last because it is something we can see God at work and join Him.  It is the NewReformation.  Mainline denominations (including Roman Catholicism) are collapsing under the weight of their bureaucracies.  Those organizations who focus on survival of the institution instead of continuation of the mission are fading.  Just as the Reformation of the 1500s and 1600s brought new life and new understanding of the Church and was fueled by new technology (the printing press); so too will this New Reformation bring new life and new understanding fueled by the Internet.  Denominational "brand names" will become less important.  The focus will shift from social issues to witnessing.  Organizations and ministry will become decentralized and local.  Mid-sized churches will disappear.  Small fellowships, para-church organizations, and mega-churches with satellites (mini-denominations) will flourish.

The Top Ten Events of 2010

What is your list of the top ten events of 2010.  Here is my top ten list.  Many "events" in my list are multiple events - but events that are related.

This is not a list of the top ten most covered news stories of 2010.  I invite your comments.

1. The Earthquakes in Haiti (January), Chile (February), and Indonesia (October) -  The destructive power of nature was shown in these massive earthquakes and the aftermath of these disasters.  The earthquake in Haiti caused the greatest suffering.  Once again Americans responded with concern and generosity.  The funds raised by celebrities, however, have often times not reached those in need.  These tragedies have faded from the mainstream view.  Christians were there before, during, and after the quake in Haiti.  How true we find the words of Paul in Romans 8.20-23 to be:  "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to son-ship, the redemption of our bodies."
2. The Collapsing Western European Socialist Economy as exemplified most drastically in the bailout of Greece (April) and Ireland (November) - Margaret Thatcher was correct:  "Eventually you run out of other people's money."  The economic collapse will have far-reaching effects in all of Europe and the different countries attempt to prop up each other and save themselves.  No longer can the governments provide everything to their citizens.
3. The Local, State, and National Elections in the United States (November) - This mid-term correction at the national level provides hope for a return to fiscal responsibility and reaches far down into state legislatures and governorships, as well as local governing bodies.  Fueled by the "Taxed Enough Already" people and groups, this historic change is a reaction to the economic and political trends.  It gives energy to the attempt to repeal the national health care legislation and has already had an impact on federal income taxes.
4. The Arizona Immigration Law(SB 1070 signed into law in April) - This law focused the frustration of the American people on illegal immigration and the apathy of the federal government.  The Arizona Law and the challenge to it by the federal government sets up a constitutional conflict that will be resolved in 2011.
5. The Enactment of Health Care Legislation(March) - This new legislation will have far reaching consequences -intended and unintended, foreseen and unforeseen.  The legislation does nothing to improve medical care, but it will have serious impacts on the economy, the medical profession, and the health of individuals.  Challenges to the legislation will continue into 2011 in the judicial and political areas.
6. The Wiki-Leaks Information Dump (July and November) - The leaks and the lethargic response of the US government are alarming.  Publicly the US government has not been damaged, but embarrassed.  The leaks make diplomacy and the war more difficult.
7. The Aggression of North Korea as exemplified in the attack of the South Korean Navy ship (March) and the artillery shelling of the South Korean island (November) - North Korea has always been an unstable rogue nation.  The upcoming change in leadership and North Korea's development of a deliverable nuclear weapon will cause greater instability in Asia.
8. The British Petroleum Oil Spill (April) - This spill certainly had immediate economic and natural consequences.  The negative results of the spill were exacerbated by the slow immediate response of the Obama Administration and the long term response of the administration that has blocked much of the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico.
9. The Floods from the Monsoon in Pakistan (July) - This devastating natural disaster caused great suffering to that struggling nation.  The devastation reminds one of the Haitian earthquake.  Again I am reminded of Romans 8.20-23.
10. The Eruption of the Volcano in Iceland (Aptil) - Though this event had no great loss of life, the eruption and the spread of volcanic ash through the atmosphere brought air travel in Europe to a standstill for about two weeks.  Once again saw the power of Creation over human endeavors, and once again I was reminded of Romans 8.20-23.

The "Feel Good" story of 2010 was the rescue of the mine workers in Chile.  This event was over-covered by the news media.  It's lasting effect will be the high number of sermon illustrations that grew from it.

The Moral Side of the News (March 28, 2010) - Health Care Insurance

The panel of clergy discussed the Health Care Insurance bill that passed the House of Representatives on Sunday, March 21, with a vote of 219-212.  With all of the mourning of a lack of bipartisan consensus, it should be noted that the "Nay" vote was bi-partisan.

There are many concerns I have about what is now the law of the land.  It improves the health of no person.  It does not improve health care, nor does it improve access to health care.  It does not lower the cost of health care.  What the new law produces is unfunded state and individual mandates.  Health insurance companies will now become "utlilities."  Both state and federal taxes shall increase.  Individual will be required to purchase a product.  Employers will find the cost of labor will increase - and thereby, lower employment.

The insolvency of Medicare is not fixed.  Medicare "savings" that were counted to help pay for the bill are not put back into Medicare, but used to create a new entitlement.

Of course, everyone knows by now that the cost of what is called the "Doc Fix" - adjustments made to payments to physicians - was not included in the cost analysis of the bill.  It it had been, the cost would have increased dramatically.

 

For the first decade, we shall be taxed ten years, but the "benefits" will only be for six years.  What happens in the second decade and beyond?  My guess is even higher taxes and fewer benefits.

The political conversation has become poisoned.  The President who ran on unity and bipartisanship has created a partisan majority in Congress that is at best oblivious and at worst contemptuous of the voice of the majority.

On thing more troubles me; and that is the moral shift in much of our nation.  I sense that we are losing our moral strength.  Many are discarding their spines and become sponges.  A spine can carry much more than its own weight.  A sponge has no spine, but can absorb much more than its own weight.

How can I say this?  Some statistics I have recently reviewed show that about 41% (2006 numbers) of the households in the United States pay no federal income tax.  That number is growing by the addition of about 1% per year.  This year we shall probably be at or above 45%.  We are coming close to the time where half of the households in America carry the other half.

Who is it that carries the other half on their backs?  75% of all federal income taxes are paid by households headed by married couples.

We are losing the self-reliant and independent spirit that has made America exceptional.  We are descendents of people who survived the journey to this country in any number of ways.  We are squandering our strength and our heritage. 

Many are satisfied to ask not what they can do for their country, but to ask what their country can do for them.  Many are satisfied to get more than they give.  Many are satisfied to have others take care of them.  Many seek rights and ignore responsibilities.

This Health Care Insurance law is a step in a direction that will destroy American exceptionalism.  It will cause us to wither as a nation.

Mixing Religion and Politics

As a conservative I have been told time and time again that I should keep my religion out of politics.  The politicians I have supported have been told that their religion should be private and not brought into the public political discussion.  What do we say about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's invocation of St. Joseph in support of her position on the "Health Care Reforms."

I guess only conservative Christians should muzzle themselves.

Do They Think We Are Dopes? Well, I Guess They Do!

Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) - An Alternative to AARP

The Association of Mature American Citizens is the new conservative organiztion for Americans 50 years or older.  For information go to AMAC.

AMAC makes the following statements on current issues:

Taxes - AMAC strongly feels that American citizens are excessively taxed. There should be a reduction in income tax rates for all wage earners. Likewise, corporations are over taxed. When a corporation is taxed they simply increase the cost of their product or service and the people wind up paying for the tax when the price is increased. 

Growth in Government- AMAC favors a reduction in the number of Federal departments and employees. Our government has grown at the Federal, State and local levels. In Washington we now have twice as many Departments as we had 100 years ago. As government grows and each year more laws are passed, the individual citizen slowly has their rights taken away.

Balanced Budget & the National Debt-The annual budget has gone out of control. The President and the congress have lost sight of their responsibilities. If we do not manage our fiscal and financial condition our nation is put in serious jeopardy. By continuing to borrow we are putting a huge burden on our children and grandchildren.

Medical Care - AMAC believes it is a serious mistake to have the Federal government interfere and dictate how medical care is provided in this country. The present system of State regulations and free enterprise has proven satisfactory for over 85% of our citizens. A simple change in state regulations can solve most of the problems with people being covered. Medicare should continue as-is with minor improvements, and more competition should be encouraged.

Abortion - AMAC is pro-life. We are against abortion in principle and feel it is improper to allow government funding of abortions, except to save the life of the mother.

Marriage - AMAC believes in the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. AMAC is opposed to Gay Marriage because we feel it contributes to the destruction of the traditional family and offends the religious beliefs on which this country was founded.  AMAC has not taken a position on civil unions or other legal issues affecting gays and lesbians. 

Second Amendment (the right to bear arms) - AMAC believes that the Constitution clearly gives the right to carry arms to the citizen. Attempts to infringe upon that right should be defeated.