Priorites

As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer I have heard heartbreaking stories of abused and neglected children, the most vulnerable members of society. We all know what sometimes happens to children is deplorable, but after what I discovered this week, I will add to the list of deplorable acts against children, what our elected officials are considering which will affect funding for the CASA program.

According to Beth Dessem, Executive Director of Missouri CASA, "The continuing resolution that Congress just finalized for fiscal year 2011 imposes a 17.2% funding reduction for some Justice Department accounts, which includes CASA programs. We estimate this will impact 2,500–2,900 children who need volunteer advocacy in the coming year. We must now ask members of the House of Representatives to urge appropriators to restore funding for CASA programs in FY 2012 to the FY 2010 level of $15 million."

I was shocked to discover the total federal budget for CASA programs across the country is only $15 million, but more astounding is that even that paltry amount is on the chopping block. ($15 million is certainly paltry when compared to the $20 billion in tax breaks extended to big oil companies by the Senate earlier this week. The oil industry cannot be numbered among the "least of these," who Jesus commands us to help.)

There are tough choices to make when addressing our budgetary woes, but the priorities of our elected officials are shameful and disgusting. And it would seem what they are doing is becoming more and more far-removed from the wishes of the majority of Americans.

Do you know why Sodom was destroyed? Not for the reasons you might think. Here is some eye-opening and sobering scripture from Ezekiel 16:49-50, "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it."

If believers do not let their voices be heard by holding elected officials accountable for taking care of the poor and needy, we are placing our country in a precarious position. Not that I think God is going to rain down fire and brimstone, but I believe we are in danger of destroying ourselves. How can we be the greatest nation on earth, if we don't take care of the weakest among us?

Let us demonstrate the love of Jesus and make a difference in the lives of those who are powerless to speak for themselves. The time is now to turn bad news into good news.