Monday, October 22, 2007

Hillary's Record on Issues of Faith?

My previous post on "Hillary's National "Catholic" Steering Committee" linked to the Clinton site but did not include an attached "document" that discussed "Hillary's record on issues of faith." This document was also not on the website as far as I could tell. And the "Faith and Values Steering Committee" is not a "Catholic Steering Committee."

She wants us all to know that she stood with Mother Teresa (will we see that picture again this year?) and she commends the USCCB's call for being overrun by illegal immigration. She claims to have stood by Cardinal Bernardin (that should make faithful Catholics enthusiastic). Of course, she's found on the opposing team (the pro-death, pro-Satan) when it really comes to protecting the innocent life of the unborn.

If it weren't so sad it might be comical. And I would not be surprised to learn that many Christians will be seduced by her claims and rhetoric...

So, here is the document I received (absent the "Hillary for President" garbage). I'll let others do the dissecting of the distortions and alleged righteousness:

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Hillary's record on issues of faith

A Person of Faith
Hillary Clinton grew up in the United Methodist Church, going to church every Sunday, attending Sunday School and learning about the world through her youth group. She learned the Golden Rule and the power of prayer at an early age. Her faith has sustained her throughout her life.

“I am very grateful that I had a grounding in faith that gave me the courage and strength to do what I thought was right, regardless of what the world thought.” — Hillary Clinton

A Person of Action
Hillary has spent her life promoting the common good; helping others as a young attorney at the Children’s Defense Fund, a volunteer registering new voters in the South, a Sunday School teacher, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the United States, and United States Senator.

Hillary is a powerful voice for peace, human rights, women, children, and families.

• Promoting Peace and Championing Human Rights. As First Lady, Hillary has worked for peace in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and the Middle East. She has stood with religious leaders, including Mother Theresa, Bishop Tutu, Cardinal Bernardin, and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to protect human rights, alleviate poverty, and confront HIV/AIDS and its devastating effects on families and communities.

• Bringing Hope to Others. As First Lady, Hillary spoke out against the degradation and abuse of women and stood up for the powerful idea that women's rights are human rights. She has advocated for access to microfinance programs that enable the poor to start their own businesses and fought against human trafficking which is modern day slavery.

• Protecting America’s Children. Hillary worked to ensure the safety of prescription drugs for children and made sure kids get the immunizations they need through the Vaccines for Children Program. She reintroduced the Kinship Caregiver Support Act to provide families with the guidance they need to obtain health care coverage for the children in their care, apply for housing assistance, locate childcare, and enroll children in school. Hillary has fought the Bush Administration’s attempts to make drastic cuts to afterschool programs and has spoken out against the culture of violence and sex in the media.

• Supporting Our Families. Hillary proposed expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act to include 13 million more workers, which enables more caregivers to take time off to care for a new baby or elderly relative. She fought to stop George Bush’s attempt to privatize Social Security and she supports middle-class tax cuts, including marriage penalty relief, Alternative Minimum Tax Reform, and a new tax cut for savings. She also proposed to expand paid family leave.

• Lifting People Out of Poverty. 36 million Americans live in poverty. Half the world — nearly 3 billion people — live on less that two dollars a day. Our faith calls us to action. Inaction against the horrific indignities of poverty is not an option. Hillary Clinton will bring the nation and world together to address and support those who suffer in poverty.

Welcoming People of Faith
Hillary is reaching out to people of all faiths to join her campaign and join together to achieve our shared goals. People of Faith are supporting Hillary for President because they are ready for change and know that Hillary is ready to lead. Join this important effort at www.hillaryclinton.com/faith

A Vision for the Common Good
As President, Hillary will be a public servant who strives to help all Americans reach their God-given potential.

“It is the values of faith, family, justice, and equal opportunity that have molded me to go to work to bring opportunity for all Americans.” — Hillary Clinton

• Hillary believes that it is time to end the war in Iraq. If President Bush does not end the war, when Hillary Clinton is President, she will. Her plan would bring U.S. troops home, work to bring stability to the region, and replace military force with a new diplomatic initiative to engage countries around the world in securing Iraq's future.

• Hillary knows health coverage is a moral issue, not just an economic one. Hillary's American Health Choices Plan covers all Americans and improves health care by giving choices, lowering costs and improving quality. It speaks to American values, families, and jobs.

• Hillary commends the call by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops to reform our immigration policy in a way that does not demonize individuals. She believes in a fairer process for people seeking to come to America, especially for those whose families have been torn apart. She supports a path to earned citizenship for those who are here, working hard, paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar for becoming a citizen. Hillary does not support schemes that would penalize churches and hospitals for helping the truly needy.

• Hillary will invest in education. Hillary believes that voluntary pre-kindergarten for all children is not only the smart thing to do, but the right thing to do. She is a champion of higher education and has worked to promote retention and graduation for non-traditional students who are more likely to be balancing school with work or family responsibilities.

• Hillary has helped children move from foster care to adopted homes with safe and loving families. First Lady Hillary Clinton led the effort to enact the Foster Care and Adoption Reform Act, which doubled the number of adoptions out of foster care. U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Adoption Promotion Action, which created incentives to adopt children with special needs. She applauds the work of Catholic agencies that assist women coping with a crisis pregnancy. Hillary has worked to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, especially teen pregnancies.

• Hillary believes we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation. As President, she will lead the charge to stop climate change by investing in clean energy technologies, increasing our fuel efficiency, and establishing a national market-based program to reduce global warming pollution.

• Hillary supports the funding of faith-based programs that promote the common good, such as feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.

• Hillary will bring America together. The common good is based in the scriptural imperative to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Hillary knows that one of the most important rules to follow is the Golden Rule. Hillary will bring America to the table in dialogue and compassion. We need change in America. Hillary is the leader who can bring us change.

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Now, I'm feeling sick and dirty...

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