What would Jesus cut?

The rest of the world has watched transfixed and uncomprehending over the last few days as legislators in the United State struggled to come to some agreement to prevent the United States government defaulting on its debts. The spectacle led one commentator, Robert Dallek  to say, “Something is at work here that makes you wonder if rational discourse is beyond the capacity of many American voters to understand and to think essential in public discourse.”

The catch-phrase in the Christian blogosphere has become – What would Jesus cut?

• Christians are to be found on both ideas of the debate claiming the authority of Jesus to support their opposing views. Such a diversity of opinion makes Tom Zirpoli remark that  “Being a Christian in America today seems to have a whole new meaning from what I learned from the Catholic nuns.”
• The  United State Council of Catholic Bishops urged the  House to reject a cuts-only approach to the budget. “A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons.” The bishops said balancing the budget “requires shared sacrifice by all,” and called for raising revenues, eliminating unneeded military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.
• The Circle of Protection say: “As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up—how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected. We know from our experience serving hungry and homeless people that these programs meet basic human needs and protect the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable. We believe that God is calling us to pray, fast, give alms, and to speak out for justice.
• Christians for a Sustainable economy say: “What would Jesus cut?” We add the question, “Whom would Jesus indebt?” The Good Samaritan did not use a government credit card. “We believe the poor of this generation and generations to come are best served by policies that promote economic freedom and growth, that encourage productivity and creativity in every able person, and that wisely steward our common resources for generations to come. All Americans – especially the poor – are best served by sustainable economic policies for a free and flourishing society.”