Feedback.Q: The reason I vote is ... If I don't vote, I have no right to complain about the way the government is run. Veronica Van Hess Elma, Wash. It's one way to change the system. Deacon Warner Washington Wylie, Texas Wylie is a city in Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 15,132, but recent rapid growth has 2004 estimates suggesting the population is already 25,850. Once solely located in Collin County, Wylie has extended into neighboring Dallas and Rockwall counties. It's the responsible, mature, and appropriate practice. All over the world, people have died for the right to vote. Ann Speyrer Opelousas, La. I feel a sense of belonging to my community when I vote. Name withheld Tulsa, Okla. I'm very interested in anything political and love the U.S.A. Mary T. Dunneback Comstock Park, Mich. I am an African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. . I still remember watching the news and seeing the dogs and water hoses [trying to prevent African Americans from voting]. It would be a sin for me to let that kind of suffering be in vain. I vote in every election. Giovonnae Anderson-Meduate Santa Rosa Santa Rosa, city, Argentina Santa Rosa, city (1991 pop. 80,629), capital of La Pampa prov., central Argentina. It is a modern city and road junction surrounded by a rich agricultural and cattle-raising area. , Calif. It is an obligation of conscience to try to help bring about what God wants us to do to continue his work on Earth. Susan Pacelli Danbury, Conn. Because I want the person who most agrees with my beliefs to win. Gregory. Roth Terre Haute Terre Haute (tĕr`ə hōt, tĕr`ē hŭt), city (1990 pop. 51,483), seat of Vigo co., W Ind., on the Wabash River; inc. 1816. , Ind. Perhaps for the same reason I became a blood donor. Working in the medical field I bemoaned low blood supplies, then realized I wasn't contributing to the supply. If I don't vote I am not contributing. Name withheld Defiance, Ohio
Defiance is a city located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio, in Defiance County, about 55 miles southwest of Toledo. The population was 16,465 at the 2000 census. Q: What my faith teaches me about political participation is ... That Jesus was a rabble-rouser! He constantly preached about social justice and concern for the poor and disenfranchised. Beatriz Cervantes Cassel Chicago, Ill. It is a responsibility that requires time, effort, prayer, and discernment. Linda Freeman Olympia, Wash. If I don't act on my beliefs, I can't expect anything to change. Peggy Casey, King City, Calif. It depends who is doing the teaching. Name withheld Miami, Fla. "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, to God the things that are God's." Dinah Tichy Louisville, Ky. We are responsible for others as well as ourselves. Rose Marie This article is about the actress. For other persons of the same name, see Rose Marie (disambiguation). Rose Marie (born August 15, 1923) is an actress who had a career as a child star under the name Baby Rose Marie Ward Madison, Wis. Abortion is the only criterion for voting. Feeding the poor, caring for the elderly, and other issues do not matter, just abortion. Christine M. Benson Hot Springs Village, Ark. First, I need to read and listen; second, I need to think and pray over my choices. Third, I need to vote--and to hold my representatives accountable through organizations like Network and Amnesty International Amnesty International (AI,) human-rights organization founded in 1961 by Englishman Peter Benenson; it campaigns internationally against the detention of prisoners of conscience, for the fair trial of political prisoners, to abolish the death penalty and torture of . Vivien Krippner Michals New Orleans New Orleans (ôr`lēənz –lənz, ôrlēnz`), city (2006 pop. 187,525), coextensive with Orleans parish, SE La., between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, 107 mi (172 km) by water from the river mouth; founded , La. Q: The most important faith-related or moral issue in this year's U.S. presidential election is ... Prolife is primary. If we don't get on track by respecting life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, not much in between matters. Kathy North Aberdeen, S.D. The environment. While many hot-button issues excite voters, ultimately the destruction of the environment has the most long-lasting and dangerous consequences of anything we do. Martin Horejsi Pocatello, Idaho Pocatello (IPA: [po kə tɛ lo]) is the county seat and largest city of Bannock CountyGR6 Human dignity Human dignity is an expression that can be used as a moral concept or as a legal term. Sometimes it means no more than that human beings should not be treated as objects. Beyond this, it is meant to convey an idea of absolute and inherent worth that does not need to be acquired and . I am deeply disturbed "Deeply Disturbed" is a CD single by the Israeli psychedelic trance duo Infected Mushroom, realeased in July 2003 on the label Absolute. about the Patriot Act Patriot Act: see USA PATRIOT Act. and the torture of prisoners. Karen Stern, S.H.F. Fremont, Calif. The gross inequality of the distribution of wealth in our country, corporate politics, and greed. Robert Bergeson Syracuse, N.Y. The war in Iraq. It started on a lie and is perpetuated by lies and big-business money. We working people are fighting for the rich to get richer. Eric Wrinkles Westville, Ind. Health care, because no one appears to be addressing it from a values perspective. James C. Gorman Boston, Mass. The number of Catholic politicians who never present what their faith represents. Marilyn Crawley South Salem South Salem is the name of several places in the United States:
The use of violence as a tool of public policy. We must work to end all threats to human life--abortion, capital punishment capital punishment, imposition of a penalty of death by the state. History Capital punishment was widely applied in ancient times; it can be found (c.1750 B.C.) in the Code of Hammurabi. , gun violence, etc. We need a "seamless garment The phrase "seamless garment" refers to the seamless robe of Jesus, which the Gospel of John describes Jesus as having worn to his crucifixion. In 1971, Roman Catholic pacifist Eileen Egan used St. John the Apostle's phrase to describe a holistic reverence for life. " approach to problem solving problem solving Process involved in finding a solution to a problem. Many animals routinely solve problems of locomotion, food finding, and shelter through trial and error. . Timothy Walch Iowa City, Iowa Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It is the principal city of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Johnson and Washington counties. Unemployment. Unemployment rates are going down only because when your unemployment benefits run out, you stop being counted as unemployed. Karen Mann Beckley, W.V. Poverty. The causes of this state (unemployment, addiction, mental and physical handicaps) are often neglected because they are not popular issues with so many. David Koss Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, city (1990 pop. 189,126), seat of Kent co., SW central Mich., on the Grand River; inc. 1850. The second largest city in the state, it is a distribution, wholesale, and industrial center for an area that yields fruit, dairy products, farm produce, , Mich. We need a debate on same-sex marriage Noun 1. same-sex marriage - two people of the same sex who live together as a family; "the legal status of same-sex marriages has been hotly debated" couple, twosome, duet, duo - a pair who associate with one another; "the engaged couple"; "an inseparable and other rights for gays and lesbians. We gays have been shut out of the American landscape for too long. Terry Miller Wilmington, Del. Our country is faced with so many important and "life changing" problems to just pick one issue seems simplistic sim·plism n. The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. [French simplisme, from simple, simple, from Old French; see simple to me. lack Parsons St. Louis, Mo. Q: The political figure (living or dead) who best exemplifies Catholic values in the public square is ... Robert Kennedy. He stood solidly behind the marginalized and poor. Had he lived, America would have been a very different country--for the better. Deacon Philip A. Marino Stony Point, N.Y. George W. Bush. Although one might disagree with his decisions on Iraq, his firm stand on such moral issues as abortion, stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. research, the sanctity and meaning of marriage, and family values reflect Catholic teaching far better than that of some "Catholic" politicians today. Joseph P. Marchese mar·che·se n. pl. mar·che·si 1. An Italian nobleman ranking above a count and below a prince. 2. Used as the title for such a nobleman. Wilmington, N.C. [Health care expert and policy maker] Joseph Califano is thoughtful, defends the poor, and tries to work within the system. Kerry Ninemire Salina Salina (səlī`nə), city (1990 pop. 42,303), seat of Saline co., central Kans., on the Smoky Hill River; founded 1858 by settlers opposed to slavery, inc. 1870. , Kan. Alan Keyes. He is a faithful Catholic. Joshua A. Zimmerman Cape Giradeau, Md. I consider Jimmy Carter to be the most ethical and moral leader of the 20th century. Conversely, he was probably the least effective president. Monica M. DeGrauwe Clinton, Ill. Mario Cuomo. He states his opinions, agreeing when he can to support Catholic values; if he disagrees, he states why. Margaret S. Wells Brevard, N.C. Franklin D. Roosevelt led the country toward the observance of the greatest commandment. George Fowley Chicago, Ill. Father Robert Drinan, a former U.S. representative (D-Mass.), is a man of courage and conviction. Charlotte C. Prather Irvine, Calif. Abraham Lincoln. I respect and admire him for daring to go against public opinion to stick by what he believed was right. Pat Nixon Mansfield, Ohio U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn). He stands for and defends the culture of life. Edward J. Graham New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , N.Y. The pope speaks an authoritative challenge to both the political left and right. Sue Hord Valparaiso, Ind. General Comments I identify with being politically homeless. To vote my conscience, I'll probably vote for a third-party candidate in protest against both the Republicans and the Democrats! Jo Lauer Sherwood, Ark. Is this my religion class from the early 1950s? I believe there are a few areas the church needs to stay out of; one is politics. Judy Palmer Chicago, Ill. The church's taking a strong stand on candidates' platforms could backfire and make it hard for a good Catholic candidate to win an election. Caroline Baxter Centennial, Colo. The church is doing a grave disservice to our country by focusing so much on hot-button issues. So many things are at stake in this election: war and peace, the environment, civil rights, and the economy. Bush is no pro-life candidate--except in its narrowest definition. Sister Rosemary Riggie Myrtle Beach, S.C. I cannot judge Catholics as sinful for not voting or participating in politics. Each person must inform their own conscience. Jerry O'Shea Portland, Maine If the church hierarchy doesn't stay out of the Catholic voting booths, they may witness quite an exodus of irate Catholics. M. Cook Missoula, Mont. I would hope that people who aren't willing to study and reflect on political issues or candidates don't vote. It's a sin to vote if you're uninformed. Pat Henry East Longmeadow, Mass.
AND THE
SURVEY SAYS ...
1. I think it's a sin for a
Catholic not to vote.
agree 35%
disagree 44%
other 21%
Representative of "other":
It's a moral failing (but not a
sin); not if there is no good
candidate; an uninformed
vote is a bigger sin.
2. My voting record is:
77% I always vote in every
election.
16% I always vote in presidential
elections.
2% I sometimes or rarely
vote.
0% I never vote.
4% Other.
3. As a Catholic, I feel politically
homeless; usually no
one party or candidate
represents the majority of
my views.
agree 56%
disagree 33%
other 11%
4. I have heard a sermon this
election season about the
importance of voting.
yes 22%
no 78%
5. About the business of
denying Communion to prochoice
politicians, I feel ...
48% It is wrong because it
uses the Eucharist as
a weapon.
14% is justified and long
overdue.
12% It is a last resort and
justified in only a
few severe circumstances.
7% It is wrong because
it interferes with the
separation of church
and state.
19% Other.
6. It is a sin to vote for candidates
who disagree with
our church's teaching on
any issue.
agree 10%
disagree 75%
other 15%
7. The fact that a candidate is
Catholic makes ...
69% No difference
whether I vote for
him or her.
20% Me more likely to
vote for him or her.
0% Me less likely to vote
for him or her.
11% Other.
These results are based on survey
responses from 257 U.S. CATHOLIC
readers and website visitors.
Join the conversation--online. In addition to a sample of subscribers, all are invited to respond to U.S. CATHOLIC'S Reader Survey at www.uscatfiolic.org. This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they answer the question: Should Catholics name their children after saints? |
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