Moral priorities

We have lost our way. Relatives of soldiers are going broke caring for the wounded, while our government leaves supporting these families to private charity. And of course, those resources don't go nearly far enough. I have in my inbox a letter from a relative of a severely wounded serviceman who is currently on leave without pay to care for his brother. He's staying in a hotel and eating at the cafeteria while visiting his brother every day - and those costs are adding up quickly.

Our president has vetoed insurance aid for children of poor families, all the while demanding more and more funding for a war of aggression. Our pundits mock sick children and traumatized soldiers. Our government has voted for tax breaks for the wealthy and against help for the poor. And all of this in the disguise of public piety.

Enough. This is the complaint of Joel - how dare you call this righeousness? How dare you trample the working person, exault the mercenary who kills without repercussions, condemn children to illness, and call it the will of God? Enough and more than enough. It is past time for us to hold accountable the people who have made a mockery of our form of government.