CatholicCitizen.Com

The Solution To Get Better Healthcare In America

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:44:00 +0000

As a Catholic I want to see every American have access to quality healthcare, and yet as an American citizen I want to protect the constitution from intrusive government.

I feel we have solved all the issues that face the healthcare dilemma, and will do so without constitutional infringement and high cost. Its simple common sense solutions that our political representatives are ignoring so they can confiscate more and more economic, and political control of our country, and its people.

The American Healthcare Solution:

1. Create A Safety Net In The Event Your Unemployed:

If you worked for an employer that provided you with health benefits, and find yourself unemployed; this plan will allow you to receive an unemployment paycheck and payments will also be directed to pay for your COBRA benefits, for a period of 18 months or until your new job provides you with coverage.

By doing this you will have a continuation of coverage, and will not be denied coverage for an illness because you had a lapse of health insurance. If you need an extension or get hired by a new employer that does not provide coverage, then you will be enrolled in new coverage (see item #2 or 3)

2. Universal Coverage With A Statewide Pool:

Every citizen of a state will be eligible to buy into a healthcare plan that is available for the state and municipal workers of that state. The plan will also be available for those who now participate in medicare and Medicaid. Vouchers, subsides, and tax credits will be available for seniors, the poor and those who have moderate income.

3. Free Health Clinics And County Hospitals For The Poor or Those Who Lack Health Insurance:

For those who are extremely poor, for travelers, immigrants, and those who elect not to purchase health coverage, the government will provide funding to operate countywide clinics and hospitals. These health facilities will provide free basic services regardless of your ability to pay.

4. Allow Market reforms:

The government will allow non-profit and business cooperatives to develop insurance buying groups or unique healthcare options. Doctors and hospitals will be permitted to develop prepaid healthcare or membership programs. These plans will be able to directly compete with health insurance companies or seek discounts as they buy health insurance in a large pool.

5. No Abortion --No Death

Healthcare is not funded abortions. Our political leaders now want our tax dollars to pay for the killing of babies. We will also see rationed care and poor treatment of our elderly under government care. We need to keep our healthcare private not public. Our healthcare is not a political issue its a right to private, quality healthcare to sustain life, not kill the innocent.

We need healthcare not big government takeover. If you want to see these simple steps to improve our healthcare acted upon by our political leaders then spread the word. Let this article go viral and share it with as many people as possible.

Send it to your political leaders, and let them know the games are over, and they need to give us serious solutions, not more taxes and takeovers.

Join with me and get this message out

Nacy Pelosi Wants To Save The Economy By Aborting Babies

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:42:00 +0000

I heard the words come straight from her mouth and still can't believe a speaker of the house could utter such horror. Nancy Pelosi, wants to spend my tax dollars, and your tax dollars to abort babies.

Pelosi is pushing a provision in the $825 billion stimulus package that would fund "family planning services". In an interview on ABC with George Stephanopoulos, Pelosi was asked how millions of dollars toward family planning (abortion) services can be considered economic stimulus, and her response was:

"Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children’s health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those — one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."

Pelosi Stimulus Plan: Reduce Babies = Reduced Government Cost

Do you still believe the government when they tell you national healthcare will not fund abortions?

TAKE ACTION:

Nancy Pelosi's bishop needs to take action on her spiritual profession. How can a woman call herself a Catholic and justify killing of innocent life to reduce government budgets?

Catholics in California need to unite and make sure Nancy Pelosi does not win re-election.

Catholics nationwide need to contact their congress person and have these provisions removed from all stimulus money.

Links:

http://www.lifenews.com/nat4786.html

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=42587

http://www.jbs.org/index.php/jbs-news-feed/4430 (CONTAINS VIDEO OF INTERVIEW)

Growing Number Of Catholic Bishops Are Saying NO to Current Health Reform Bills

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:48:00 +0000

A growing number of Catholic Bishops are speaking out against the government takeover and control of our healthcare.

Archbishop Charles Chaput of the Archdiocese of Denver:

"..fast-tracking a flawed, complex effort this fall, in the face of so many growing and serious concerns, is bad policy. It's not only imprudent; it's also dangerous."

"If Congress and the White House want to genuinely serve the health-care needs of the American public, they need to slow down, listen to people's concerns more honestly -- and learn what the "common good" really means."

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=34310&page=2

Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa:

"Catholic Church does not teach that “health care” as such, without distinction, is a natural right. The “natural right” of health care is the divine bounty of food, water, and air without which all of us quickly die. This bounty comes from God directly. None of us own it, and none of us can morally withhold it from others. The remainder of health care is a political, not a natural, right, because it comes from our human efforts, creativity, and compassion. As a political right, health care should be apportioned according to need, not ability to pay or to benefit from the care. We reject the rationing of care."

" the Catholic Church does not teach that government should directly provide health care. Unlike a prudential concern like national defense, for which government monopolization is objectively good – it both limits violence overall and prevents the obvious abuses to which private armies are susceptible – health care should not be subject to federal monopolization."

“I encourage all of you to make your voice heard to our representatives in Congress. Tell them what they need to hear from us: no health care reform is better than the wrong sort of health care reform. Insist that they not permit themselves to be railroaded into the current too-costly and pro-abortion health care proposals. Insist on their support for proposals that respect the life and dignity of every human person, especially the unborn. And above all, pray for them, and for our country. "

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=34287&page=2

Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities:

"..the committee created a legal fiction, a paper separation between federal funding and abortion: Federal funds will subsidize the public plan, as well as private health plans that include abortion on demand; but anyone who purchases these plans is required to pay a premium out of his or her own pocket (specified in the Act to be at least $1.00 a month) to cover all abortions beyond those eligible for federal funds under the current Hyde amendment.

Thus some will claim that federal taxpayer funds do not support abortion under the Act. But this is an illusion. Funds paid into these plans are fungible, and federal taxpayer funds will subsidize the operating budget and provider networks that expand access to abortions.”

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/52841

http://www.ncregister.com/daily/bishops_fight_abortion_push_in_health-care_reform/

Support and pray for our bishops that are fighting for the protection of life and liberty.

The Real Facts On Governemnet Healthcare: Will it kill you or make you healthy?

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:05:00 +0000

I have found a great website that is loaded with articles from British, Canadian, and U.S., news sources that discuss problems with government healthcare.

You will be shocked at the news in England, and Canada that your not hearing in our mainstream media.

Take a look at the headlines such as:

Girl, 3, has heart operation cancelled three times because of bed shortage , The Times, UK

Kidney patients denied 'too expensive' life-extending drugs, The Telegraph

War hero told: You can't have jabs to save sight until you are blind in one eye, The Daily Mail, UK

I won't let Daddy die: Girl of six raises £4,000 for life-saving drugs the NHS won't provide, The Daily Mail, UK

English Pull Own Teeth Due To Poor Dental Services, AFP

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO ARTICLES

Think about it America if every nation that has a single-payer health system denies care, has shortages, and inferior equipment, why would we want to begin to travel that same destination?

Canadian Doctor Lies to the American People

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Recently, Michael M. Rachlis, a Canadian physician wrote an article in the Los Angeles Times, titled: "A Canadian doctor diagnoses U.S. healthcare", on August 3, 2009.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-rachlis3-2009aug03,0,538126.story

In his article Dr. Rachlis, gave his opinion of why America should adopt a single payer, Canadian style, healthcare system. What the doctor failed to do is give the American people the truth.

The truth that the Canadian people are looking to privatize services, and to break free from poor service and long waiting periods, of a government system.

In 2004, Dr. Rachlis, joined with other ultra-liberal physicians to attempt to block the development of private health services, despite the popularity of these services with the Canadian people. See his pledge at: healthcoalition.ca

With his twisting of numbers, statistics, facts, and throwing our Government Accounting Office (GAO), in the mix to back up his claims. The doctor used distorted information to lie about the state of our healthcare in America, such as quoting from the New York-based Commonwealth Fund, a liberal organization that is headed by a former public health official in the Carter administration. Dr. Rachlis, stated the GAO had concerns over American woman having long waiting periods like Canada to get mammograms, when in fact the opposite is true, according to a August 16, 2006, GAO report (GAO-06-724) that stated the following:

"..National mammography capacity appears to be adequate.." Yes, certain rural areas may have longer waiting periods because of a lack of testing facilities, but in general U.S. woman can get testing without long waits like Canada. If there is a lack of testing facilities it's because of the government hoops a facility must jump threw to get certified.

In his "Lesson No. 5 Canadian healthcare delivery problems have nothing to do with our single-payer system and can be fixed by re-engineering for quality".

What he failed to share with America was his ideas that he discussed with his fellow Canadians.

1. Canadian Medical Association Journal, October 15, 1995, Dr. Rachlis stated:

"My article did not suggest that we do not need to RATION HEALTHCARE somehow. Even the wealthiest of societies can not offer everything to everyone."

2. Canadian Centre For Policy Alternatives: Public Solution To Healthcare Wait List:

"Undue waiting is currently medicare (Canadian healthcares) achilles heel".

"Waiting for care are the biggest political issue facing Canadian healthcare"

All the horror stories we have heard about Canadians suffering and reports of death from not getting timely care is true.

Do we want rationed care, and months of waiting to get treatment, when we have the best care in the world?

True, we can make care more accessible to more people and at affordable prices, but first we need to restore free-market solutions and revoke burdensome government regulations. The solution is local access, free-markets, and keep government out of our doctor offices, and our health decisions.

The Sin of Government Health care

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 03:14:00 +0000

The current health care plan, proposed by congress, is more about the destruction of the free-market, and government control than about the health of people. As a Catholic I have a concern for quality health care for all people. However, as an American citizen, I want my government to have limited power and authority, as provided in the words and spirit of the constitution.

Universal Access to Health Care For All, but Who Says The Government Must Do It?

I am of the belief that the American people, organizations, and religious institutions are best suited to administer equal access to health care in their community. Who says that our government who runs sub-standard veteran hospitals, and bankrupt, Medicare, and Medicaid, should be trusted to run a national heath plan?

Why Should We Trust Government With Our Health When No National Health Plan Has Worked?

England and Canada are full of horror stories of abuse and neglect. Rationing of health services and brought many to an early death. Senior citizens and the disabled are denied care, and public money is used for abortion. Government is coercive, oppressive, and expensive, when compared to the care provided by the free-market.

In America we have not seen a true free-market health system in recent years. The government at the federal and state level have imposed restrictions and regulations, that have hampered true free-market forces. Market forces would have reduced cost and offered competitive programs, that would of improved quality.

What Has Congress Proposed In It's Recent Health Care Plan?

SUBTITLE B – SCHOOL‐BASED HEALTH CLINICS
Sec. 2511. School‐based health clinics. Establishes a program to provide support to school‐based health clinics that provide health services to children and adolescents.

---These health clinics in schools are permitted to provide family planning services (abortion services).

Sec. 1904. Grants to States for quality home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children. Provides grants to States to support voluntary, evidence‐based home visitation programs for pregnant women and for families with pre‐school age children in order to improve the well‐being, health and development of children.

---"Evidence based home visitations" this plan would have social workers entering your home to monitor your parenting skills and to re-educate, and coach you to use proper parenting skills. Who says the government skills are proper? The social workers will also need to make periodic visit to monitor your compliance.

Sec. 1714. State eligibility option for family planning services. Allows State Medicaid programs to cover low income women who are not pregnant for family planning services and supplies without obtaining a waiver. Allows State Medicaid programs to cover such services for such women during a presumptive eligibility period. Effective on enactment.

---Family planning is a nice term for "Abortion".

Sec. 1156. Limitation on Medicare exceptions to the prohibition on certain physician referrals made to hospitals. Closes a loophole in the self‐referral rules that allows physicians to refer patients to hospitals in which they have a direct financial interest. Prohibits physician ownership in hospitals that are new as of January 1, 2009.

---So if a group of physicians invested their money to provide a quality hospital or held shares in a hospital he/she would no longer be able to send you to that hospital. What if it's the only one near you, and the next hospital is 100 miles away?

Sec. 1153. Home health payment update for 2010. Provides a freeze in the market basket update for home health agencies for 2010.

--- Watch out America what will follow.

Sec. 1145. Treatment of certain cancer hospitals. Directs the Secretary to study whether existing cancer hospitals that are exempt from the inpatient prospective payment system have costs under the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) that exceed costs of other hospitals, and to make an appropriate payment adjustment under OPPS based on that analysis.

--- This means the government is about to reduce the fee payments to certain cancer hospitals. What if a cancer hospital pays it's doctors twice as much as another only because the doctor is more qualified? This hospital paying more in salaries will operate with higher expenses, but it's because the patient outcome is better. Who is government to dictate a hospital operating budget?

Sec. 1141. Rental and purchase of power‐driven wheelchairs. Eliminates the option for Medicare to purchase power‐driven wheelchairs with a lump‐sum payment at the time the chair is supplied. Medicare would continue to make the same payments for power‐driven chairs over a 13‐month period. Purchase option for complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs would be maintained.

--- What company that provides these power-wheelchairs is going to accept payment in a 13 monthly installment?

Sec. 441. Health care surcharge on the top 1.2% of earners. The bill would require the top 1.2% of earners –households with adjusted gross income in excess of $350,000 (married filing a joint return) and $280,000 (single) – to contribute towards the cost of providing access to affordable health care for all Americans through a new health care surcharge.

---The average small business owner will be paying additional taxes.

Sec. 421. Credit for small business employee health coverage expenses. Provides for a tax credit equal to 50% of the amount paid by a small employer for employee health coverage. The tax credit is phased out in the case of an employer with 10 to 25 employees, and is also phased out in the case of an employer with average wages of $20,000 to $40,000 per year.

---10-25 employees or if you have a small amount of employees you will not get a credit on health insurance premiums. Another burden on small business.

Sec. 412. Responsibilities of non-electing employers. Establishes a payroll tax of 8% of the wages that an employer pays to its employees for employers who choose not to offer coverage. Certain small employers are exempt from this or are subject to a graduated tax rate. An exempt small business is an employer with an annual payroll that does not exceed $250,000. The 8% payroll tax phases in for employers with annual payroll from $250,000 through $400,000

--- So if you have 10-25 employees and the payroll you pay is over $250,000 per year, you would not get the 50% deduction if you pay for insurance. In addition you would also have to pay a 8% payroll tax if you don't provide the insurance.

Sec. 401. Tax on individuals without acceptable health care coverage. Provides for a 2.5% additional tax on the modified adjusted gross income of an individual who does not obtain acceptable health coverage for the individual or dependents claimed on the individual’s tax return.

---In America you no longer have the right to opt-not to buy insurance. You buy it or you pay higher taxes.

Still think this is about health care? The government is not looking to increase the quality or access to care. The government is looking to increase it's control over a huge portion of our economy and can careless about your health.

The sin of government health care is that the people suffer with rationing, poor quality, heavy taxation and lack of freedom. America deserves better than the crumbs that government wants to throw us.

CHECK THESE ALARMING ARTICLES:

http://community2.myfoxatlanta.com/_The-whole-1000-page-Healthcare-Bill-Summary/blog/477074/77914.html

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2009/07/31/barney-frank-on-the-road-to-socialized-medicine/

http://mcauleysworld.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/video-obama-lies-to-public-again-single-payor-health-care-the-end-of-private-medical-insurance/

Don't Listen To The Pope -- Obama Is The New Leader Of The Catholic Church

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:43:00 +0000

The latest arrogance to come from the liberal news media , and the Obama administration, is to convince American Catholics to trust President Obama and not the pope.

Newsweek-- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend --Jul 9, 2009

"In truth, though, Obama's pragmatic approach to divisive policy (his notion that we should acknowledge the good faith underlying opposing viewpoints) and his social-justice agenda reflect the views of American Catholic laity much more closely than those vocal bishops and pro-life activists. When Obama meets the pope tomorrow, they'll politely disagree about reproductive freedoms and homosexuality, but Catholics back home won't care, because they know Obama's on their side. In fact, Obama's agenda is closer to their views than even the pope's."

White House-- Press Secretary Robert Gibbs -- Jul 9, 2009

"The President, in both his words and in his deeds, expresses many things that many Catholics recognize as fundamental to our teaching."

Centuries of church teaching has condemned every action by the Obama administration:

1. Obama is pro-abortion and the church is pro-life.

2. Obama has favored and used socialist tactics to deal with the American economy and the church has always been anti-socialist.

3. Obama puts environmental issues over the rights of people, supports heavy taxation and confiscation of property rights. The Catholic church condemns these tactics.

Obama will never be our guide for spiritual or moral truth. It's an insult to suggest that Obama could ever be the voice for American Catholics, when centuries of church teaching condemns his policy and political beliefs.

Don't Listen To His Words...Watch His Actions

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Photo: President Obama with Harry Knox, of the Pro-Gay, Human Rights Campaign and advisor of the White House Committee on Faith.

President Obama has always professed a deep Christian faith, and yet his political policy leaves us searching for evidence of his faith. The presidents latest move to have a White House celebration for the birthday of the homosexual movement is clear evidence of his bias.

If you can recall back in May of this year Obama cancelled a long standing tradition of hosting a White House National Day of Prayer. Obama stated he would rather pray alone and has no need to join with the nations religious leaders. However, Obama has invited national leaders of the homosexual movement to join him in the White House East Room to celebrate the birthday of the homosexual movement.

Having a president that values biblical principals is vital to the success of our nation. Having a man in the oval office that has a low regard for those same principals of faith, puts our nation in moral decline.

America look beyond the words and promises of our president and watch his actions which reveal the true man in the oval office.

Let's Not Rush To Judgement On Sotomayor

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:26:00 +0000

Recent comments by Catholic news services, and blogs would appear that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, was being considered for sainthood.

Why?

1) She attended Cardinal Spellman Catholic School
2) She's Latin, which some are saying always equals a "rich Catholic heritage"

This rush to judgement and eagerness to claim everyone a Catholic simply because they came from an early Catholic upbringing is wrong.

A true Catholic is someone that will claim the faith, and will follow the teachings, and traditions of the bible and the church. It's not about your Latin culture, but more about your culture of faith.

Let's not lower the standards in the Catholic church because we want a celebrity or political leader counted among our ranks. We should not be a respecter of any person, because of wealth or status.

The jury is still out for Judge Sotomayor, and we should take our time to look into her career and her lifestyle before we elevate her to any position or put a Catholic stamp of approval on her.

CATHOLIC CITIZEN ACTION ALERT: Notre Dame Battle Not Over

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:54:00 +0000

President Obama was given a pulpit to spew his gospel of living a life mixed with faith and wickedness (Yes, murder of the innocent is wicked). However, the battle is not over and the fight to take back our Catholic institutions will continue.

This Catholic Citizen Action Alert will show you how you can join the fight, and claim victory for our church, and our country.

1. NOTRE DAME ALUMNI CONFIRM $13.9 MILLION IN WITHHELD DONATIONS

Financial Penalty of Obama Invite Continues to Mount

DEARBORN, MI - (May 13, 2009) – Organizers of ReplaceJenkins.com, the online effort that asks alumni and donors to the University of Notre Dame to withhold donations, announced Wednesday that they have tallied nearly $14 million in withheld donations from alumni and donors who feel disenfranchised by the trend of Notre Dame’s leadership to abandon its Catholic identity. The website ReplaceJenkins.com has received over 1,400 pledges from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations.

ACTION: If your a contributor or planned to contribute to Notre Dame, then join www.replacejenkins.com

2. “What should the Church do about Notre Dame?” Archbishop Raymond Burke was asked.

His answer:

“What it should do is have Notre Dame come clean. Is it Catholic or isn’t it? A Catholic institution, a Catholic university, cannot give honors to someone who is a promoter of things that are opposed to the most fundamental beliefs of Catholics, and so that’s what needs to happen.”

How can the Church do that?

“There’s an apostolic constitution, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, which sets forth the requirements for a university to have the name Catholic. I think that Notre Dame has to either follow those norms or say ‘We’re not a Catholic university anymore.’”

Archbishop Burke, of course, is the prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s highest court.

ACTION: Write your local bishop or call their office asking for Ex Corde Ecclesiae to be applied to all Catholic institutions and especially Notre Dame.

The Shame Of Notre Dame

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:13:00 +0000

OBAMA HONORED BY CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY...

WHILE CATHOLIC PRIEST AND NUN ARE ARRESTED AT THE SAME CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO CATHOLICS IN AMERICA?

Can you believe that a Catholic priest, and nun, are arrested by Notre Dame Police, on a Catholic university campus? Their crime was supporting the teaching's of the Catholic church and protesting a president that sends our tax dollars worldwide to kill babies.

When will Catholics in America wake up and take back our institutions, from ultra-liberals, that profess the Catholic faith, but support the godless agenda of the world?

Wording Of Obama Honorary Degree From Notre Dame Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Early report are telling us that the honorary degree that will be awarded to President Obama will read the following:

"A community organizer who honed his advocacy for the poor, the marginalized and the worker in the streets of Chicago, he now organizes a larger community, bringing to the world a renewed American dedication to diplomacy and dialogue with all nations and religions committed to human rights and the global common good.

"Through his willingness to engage with those who disagree with him and encourage people of faith to bring their beliefs to the public debate, he is inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow."

Do we really think the president is living up to this?

"Through his willingness to engage with those who disagree with him and encourage people of faith to bring their beliefs to the public debate, he is inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion"

--- Cancels the National Day of Prayer ceremony
---Appoints a gay leader to a presidential committee that makes critical statements of Catholics
---During President Obama’s recent trip across Europe, he grossly misrepresented America by denying that America is a Christian nation. He said this in spite of our Christian founding principles, history, and the fact that the overwhelming majority of American citizens have always been and are Christian.

In a speech given in Turkey, President Obama said "Although...we have a large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation, or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."
(secular thinking)

Does this sound like a president that is looking to heal the religious division of our nation and encourage public faith?

Media Using Polls To Support Notre Dame Honor To Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:40:00 +0000

On May 14, the USA Today, wrote an article titled, Most Catholics support Obama's speech at Notre Dame. They used a poll from A Quinnipiac University national survey of 2,041 U.S. voters, to back up their claim. However, the claim by the USA Today article stating that Catholics support Obama giving a speech at Notre Dame, and the results of the poll don't match.

The Quinnipiac poll did not ask Catholics if they supported Obama giving a speech at Notre Dame, but asked the following question:

"As you may know, some Catholics are calling for Notre Dame to rescind its invitation to President Obama to deliver this year's commencement address because they say his stances on abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research contradict church teaching. Do you think the University of Notre Dame should rescind its invitation to President Obama to give this year's commencement address or not? "

The question was focused just on the commencement speech, with no mention of giving the president an honorary degree. The question was not worded to ask if Catholics support Obama giving a speech, but since he is already invited should the president now be told not to come.

It should also be noted that the poll showed among observant Catholic voters who attend religious services about once a week say 49 - 43 percent that Notre Dame should keep President Obama on the program.

A new poll conducted by respected polling firm Rasmussen Reports finds a majority of Catholics and the American public oppose the University of Notre Dame's decision to give an honorary law degree to pro-abortion President Barack Obama.

The Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that, by a 60-25 percent margin, Catholics say Notre Dame should obey guidelines issued by the U.S. bishops and refrain from awarding an honorary degree to the president. Among all Americans, 52 percent oppose the honor and just 25 percent support it.

When asked whether President Obama should cancel his appearance at Notre Dame because of pro-life opposition, 52% of Americans say no while 30 percent say yes. This shows like the Quinnipiac survey, that Catholics have respect for the office of our president, but not that they support his views.

The real issue is not with our president but with the leadership of our Catholic institutions that support and honor the achievements of someone that opposes Catholic teachings.

Video Message from Fr. John Corapi of EWTN Comments On Notre Dame Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Email this article/video to your friends, before May 17.

Share your comments.

UPDATE: The Church Leadership Vs. Notre Dame Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Bishop Wenski leads Mass of Reparation for Obama invite and Catholic ‘complacency’

“We must always insist that the common good is never served by making wrongs –like abortion- into rights.” The bestowal of the honorary degree is understood by some to indicate approval and thus undermines the work of bishops, Wenski explained.

Bishop Wenski returned to Catholic complacency, saying:

“We have become complacent, because we have become comfortable – too accommodated and too uncritical of the larger culture in which we live. Perhaps, as Catholics, we have become victims of our own success.”

He warned that Catholics have craved respectability and acceptance and risk surrendering their convictions and principles as a precondition to entering public life.

Fr. Pavone: Pray For The Conversion of President Obama

We at Priests for Life are joining with the students of Notre Dame, calling upon believers to offer rosaries for the conversion of President Obama and in reparation for the scandal of him being honored during the Notre Dame commencement ceremony. Go to http://www.prayercampaign.org/ to sign up.

Here is what the Notre Dame students are saying on their website at

www.ndresponse.com

We students will pray the rosary daily for 40 days – from Wednesday of Holy Week (4/8/09) until the day of commencement (5/17/09). We will pray especially for conversion of heart for President Obama, that he might grow to respect life from conception to natural death and that his policies might reflect that (in particular that he will reverse his pro-abortion stance). As a secondary intention, we will pray for the University of Notre Dame, and all Catholic universities, that they might grow in their understanding of what it means to be Catholic and truly embrace their Catholic identity. Finally, we pray that this country, and all countries throughout the world might embrace a greater respect for life in all its stages.

62: Three More Bishops Against Notre Dame Scandal

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (LifeSiteNews.com) - A total of 62 bishops have publicly condemned the Notre Dame scandal, with three more bishops expressing solidarity with Notre Dame's Bishop John D'Arcy and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) policy against honoring pro-abortion politicians. The University of Notre Dame has invited President Obama to give the commencement address and receive an honorary law degree May 17.

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=33454&wf=rsscol

Bishop Peña Asks President Not to Come to Notre Dame: Open Letter to Two Presidents - 5/5/2009

"Mr. President, less than 18 months ago, Pope Benedict XVI canceled a speaking engagement at La Sapienza University in Rome, simply because some of the students reacted negatively to the announcement of his coming. Rather than risk throwing the university into turmoil, the pope humbly withdrew. I respectfully ask you to consider freely withdrawing your commitment to speak at Notre Dame University, for the same reason".

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=33452&wf=rsscol

$8.2 Million Withheld From Notre Dame

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:17:00 +0000

UPDATE: (4/29/09) $8.2 Million Withheld From Notre DameOrganizers of a website encouraging University of Notre Dame alumni and donors to withhold donations until its president is replaced say they have confirmed over $8.2 million dollars have been withheld as part of their efforts.

The group describes the figure as “very conservative.” ReplaceJenkins.com aims to encourage donors to withhold donations to the university until its president, Rev. John Jenkins, CSC, is replaced.A press release from ReplaceJenkins.com says the site has received over 900 pledges from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations.

Several of the largest gifts include estate bequests to the university that have been removed from donors’ wills.The site was organized by Notre Dame alumni and financial supporters who opposed the invitation of President Barack Obama as commencement speaker and honorary law degree recipient because of his support for abortion.

Catholic Ambassador Says No Thanks To Notre Dame Award

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon Declines The Offer From Notre Dame

To Receive The Laetare Medal

Glendon's unexpected announcement, just 20 days before Notre Dame's commencement, stoked a raging controversy over the decision by the Catholic university to honor a president who supports abortion rights and has taken several steps during his first 100 days to widen access to abortion services and to ease restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

Notre

Dame had used the award to Glendon and her speech to defend it's position for inviting President Obama. Leadership at Notre Dame stated Glendon and Obama would have a debate, or perhaps Obama would learn from the points of argument that would be made by Glendon.

However, Glendon was never made aware that such a debate would take place.

"Then I learned that 'talking points' issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event," she said, before going on to note that "commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families."

"It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dames decision" to honor Mr. Obama, Glendon said.

In her letter, Glendon says Notre Dame’s plan to give Obama an honorary degree violates the U.S. bishops’ 2004 statement that Catholic institutions shouldn’t honor people whose actions conflict with the church’s moral principles.

"That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it," wrote Glendon.

Click Here To View Her Impressive Resume.

Ambassador Glendon should of been the one honored by Notre Dame, not President Obama. How much better would she of been as an example for graduates. She has a lifetime of achievements, unlike President Obama who has a very short resume in the arena of government service.

Alumni Will Hold Back Funding To Notre Dame

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:03:00 +0000

On April 9th 2009, we asked the alumni and supporters of Notre Dame to hold back funding and donations to the institution until Notre Dame cancelled plans to honor President Obama. We felt that the decline of money to Notre Dame would be the only message that Father Jenkins would acknowledge, since he has ignored request from bishops and over 300,000 Catholics.

A new coalition group made up of alumni have taken up this cause and are asking that Father Jenkins be removed from office as President of Notre Dame. They state they love the institution but are not happy with the direction the university has gone under the leadership of Father Jenkins. They state they will not make any donation to the university until someone more loyal to the Catholic church replaces Father Jenkins.

WE SUPPORT THIS COALITION TO BRING NOTRE DAME BACK TO TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC VALUES. GREAT JOB!!!

UPDATE: (4/29/09) $8.2 Million Withheld From Notre Dame

Organizers of a website encouraging University of Notre Dame alumni and donors to withhold donations until its president is replaced say they have confirmed over $8.2 million dollars have been withheld as part of their efforts.

The group describes the figure as “very conservative.” ReplaceJenkins.com aims to encourage donors to withhold donations to the university until its president, Rev. John Jenkins, CSC, is replaced.

A press release from ReplaceJenkins.com says the site has received over 900 pledges from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations. Several of the largest gifts include estate bequests to the university that have been removed from donors’ wills.

The site was organized by Notre Dame alumni and financial supporters who opposed the invitation of President Barack Obama as commencement speaker and honorary law degree recipient because of his support for abortion.

Miss California Is Attacked For Standing Up For Her Christian Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:19:00 +0000

Miss California may have lost the Miss USA crown because she stood up for her faith. Carrie Prejean, Miss California is a devout Christian, that participate in ministry activities, and is currently a junior at San Diego Christian College, a Southern Baptist Affiliated College.

When asked by celebrity judge Perez Hilton, an openly gay gossip blogger, whether Carrie believed in gay marriage, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, said "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Perez Hilton then produced a video on his blog that was both vulgar and critical of Carrie Prejean, and her answer. The most amazing thing was a statement that was issued by Keith Lewis, the co-director, of the Miss California USA organization. You would think the organization would support Miss Prejean, their contestant, and condemn the hateful remarks of Perez Hilton, but this is what Mr. Lewis said.

"As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman," said Lewis in a statement. "I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."

Another Co-director of the organization, Shanna Moakler told FOXNews.com that she fully supported Lewis' statement.

The website gay.com also reported that Mr. Lewis sent a statement to Perez Hilton letting him know that the Miss California USA organization condemns Miss Prejean.

The Miss Universe Organization is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA beauty contests. Based in New York, it is owned jointly by NBC Universal and Donald Trump. The current president is Paula Shugart. The organization sells television rights to the pageants in other countries.

It should not shock anyone that the NBC network is behind an organization that would support gay marriage and attack a young woman who expressed her Christian beliefs.

As Catholics, I think we should stand behind Miss Carrie Prejean that did not yield to pressure, but held firm to her faith. It's wrong for the Miss USA organization and Miss California USA, not to condemn Perez Hilton, their judge who made hateful remarks, and instead set him a statement of apology because of what Miss Prejean said.

What's the message that this organization sends to our young women and teens, when they destroy the character of a contestant that stands up for her faith? The Miss California USA organization says that a girls religious belief has no place in the "Miss California Family".

Contact the sponsors of the Miss USA organization and let them know you find the organizations actions wrong and demand they pull their support.

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White House Request Catholic Symbols Covered

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:36:00 +0000

Photo of Gaston Hall stage that shows symbol "IHS" that was covered up during President Obama's speech to accommodate a White House request. (Wikimedia photo)

At the request of the White house all religious symbols in Gaston Hall at Georgetown university, had to be covered. The White House wanted a plain background with just America flags for the presidents speech. Will this be the same request Notre Dame University will be required to comply with?

President Obama is greeted by Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia as he arrives to deliver remarks on the economy, April 14, 2009, at Georgetown University. Georgetown had covered the symbol "IHS" on the pediment above and behind the two men. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Pediment in Gaston Hall with "IHS" covered as photographed by CNSNews.com, April 15, 2009. (Photo by Penny Starr,CNSNews.com)

Kathleen Sebelius Lied About Donations From Abortion Clinic

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:24:00 +0000

Kathleen Sebelius Lied About Donations From An Abortion Clinic Run By Dr. George Tiller

Sebelius stated she only received $12,450, but later it was discovered she received an additional $23,000 from Tiller. Sebelius did not tell Senators about the additional money, although Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., specifically asked about any Tiller donations to her PAC.

Tiller runs the women's health care services, and according to the clinic website, they claim to be "Specialist in 2nd/3rd trimester abortion care."

The clinic website also offers a chaplaincy program and states: "Spiritually, abortion is acceptable in ten of the world's religions and in Christianity many denominations affirm and uphold the right of woman to make the choice of abortion."

As governor Sebelius vetoed anti-abortion legislation in her state in 2003, 2005, 2006, and in 2008 Sebelius vetoed the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act. This bill would of required the State of Kansas to verify a doctors justification to perform a late term abortion.

This action by Sebelius would of favored Dr. Tiller and his abortion practice which promotes late term, and partial-birth abortions.

She fails to pay taxes, departs from the principals of her faith, lies while under oath, hides contributions, and takes action to favor major contributors. Why would we want her to head a federal department?

Call the senate and tell them NOT to confirm Sebelius.

Committee On Finance

219 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-6200

CALL: (202) 224-4515

It's Time To Boycott Notre Dame

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:57:00 +0000

If Father Jenkins Won't Listen To Catholic Voices, Then Perhaps He Will Listen To Catholic Dollars.

In May, 2009, President Obama with be awarded an honorary law degree by Notre Dame.

This special honor from a Catholic institution is usually given to an individual that has performed a major accomplishment to advance the mission of the church. Many in the past have done great works for humanity and have been recognized by Notre Dame with the award of an honorary degree.

To bestow this great honor on a man that has worked a lifetime to advance the murder of babies, has criticized Christianity, has appointed advisers that mock the pope, and seeks to promote the gay agenda is not only wrong but, a sinful act.

Notre Dame stadium can seat 80,795, yet three times that amount have protested the Obama visit in May. You would think Father Jenkins would take notice of this huge voice of opposition to his plans to honor Obama.

Yet, despite a petition of over 250,000 Catholics, and letters and appeals from students, faculty, bishops and priest, Father Jenkins continues to harden his heart and says he will proceed with his plans to honor President Obama.

Since the leadership of Notre Dame has no regard for the values of the Catholic church, then let's see how much they value the Catholic dollars.

We as Catholics should use our money as a means to take back our Catholic institution. If Father Jenkins won't listen to our voices, our petitions, and letters from bishops then perhaps he will listen to a loss of Catholic dollars.

To parents and alumni I ask that you join the protest against the leadership of Notre Dame, and halt all funding to the institution. Use the power of your dollar to demand the university return to Catholic principals.

To the 12,000 Sorin Society Members I ask that you hold back funding to Notre Dame:

This past year, members of the Sorin Society contributed an astounding $21,124,397 in unrestricted funds; the Sorin Society received an additional $1,664,808 in corporate matching gifts, for a grand total of $22,789,205!

Write to the director and tell him you plan to hold back your donation until the university returns to Catholic values.

Michael C. Brach
Executive Director, Sorin Society
1100 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-2745 brach.8@nd.edu

We also ask that any members of the following society Halt contributions to Notre Dame:

John Cardinal O'Hara Society

Order of St. Thomas More (Notre Dame Law School support)
John Cardinal O’Hara Society (MBA support)
Director’s Circle (athletics support)

Marian Legacy Society

Boycott the university until the university honors our church.

Obama Advisor Made Hateful Remark Against Pope And Catholics

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:39:00 +0000

PHOTO: President Obama/ Harry Knox

President Obama appointed to his faith-based partnership board, Harry Knox, a leader with the homosexual activist group Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

According to CNSNews.com, Knox has described Pope Benedict XVI and certain Catholic bishops as “discredited leaders” because of their opposition to same-sex marriage.

Knox also called the Knights of Columbus members “foot soldiers of a discredited army of oppression” because of the Catholic group’s support for the successful California ballot measure Proposition 8. Proposition 8 restored the definition of marriage to being between a man and a woman.

Knox’s remarks, reportedly made to the Bay Area Reporter, also criticized the Pope’s comments on condoms and AIDS. He also told CNSNews.com that he “absolutely” stands by his criticism of the Pope.

I have verified the truth of comments made by Knox by visiting the Bay Area Reporter website and viewing the article that contain his statements (Bay Area Reporter Issue: Vol. 39 / No. 14 / 2 April 2009) Knox comments are hateful of the Pope, Catholic bishops, and Catholics in general.

How many times will we as Catholic citizens stand idle while the Obama administration assaults our faith?

What would happen if a presidential advisor criticised Muslim, or Gay and Lesbian groups? Don't you think they would be asked to step down?

The worst part is, one of our Catholic institutions is about to honor President Obama in May.

CALL TO ACTION:

1. Demand the resignation of Harry Knox, from the Presidents Faith-Based Partnership Board. Write the White House

2. Write editorial articles in your local newspaper demanding the Knox resignation

3. Protest the granting of honors to President Obama at Notre Dame.

Iowa court: Gay marriage ban unconstitutional

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:24:00 +0000

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage Friday in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state -- and first in the nation's heartland -- to allow same-sex couples to wed. FULL STORY

Des Moines lawyer Dennis Johnson represented the six gay couples who filed suit after they were denied marriage licenses. He called the ruling "a moral victory for equal rights.''

Johnson argued that Iowa has a long history of aggressively protecting civil rights in cases of race and gender. He said the Defense of Marriage Act, which the Legislature passed in 1998, contradicts previous court rulings regarding civil rights and should be struck down.

Timeline:

1998: Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is passed in Iowa, defining marriage as being between 1 man and 1 woman.

November 14, 2003: Judge Jeff Neary grants a divorce to a lesbian couple NW Iowa (therefore recognizing the lesbian marriage).

June 17, 2005: Iowa Supreme Court upholds Judge Neary’s ruling regarding lesbian divorce, giving at least some indication of where it might come down on other issues involving same-sex marriage.

2005: Six same-sex couples from around Iowa apply for marriage licenses in Polk County and are refused because DOMA limits marriage in Iowa only to 1 man and 1 woman.

December, 2005: A lawsuit is filed against Polk County by the 6 same-sex couples who were refused marriage licenses earlier in the year.

August 30, 2007: Judge Robert Hanson rules in favor of the 6 same-sex couples; DOMA is thrown out from the perspective that it is unconstitutional to prohibit same-sex couples from marrying.

August 31, 2007: Many same-sex couples flood the Polk County Courthouse to apply for marriage licenses; one same-sex couple is married. At about 11 am, Judge Hanson grants a stay to his own ruling, freezing same-sex marriage in Iowa for the time being.

Now: Judge rules unconstitutional

The Catholic Citizen And The 9-12 Project

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Garton) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:45:00 +0000

A movement is sweeping the country, with hundreds of thousand of everyday citizens organizing.

The spark that ignited this movement was the way government has boldly seized the economy, put us in debt with massive spending, enacted huge taxes, and the revelation of corruption among members of congress. Many are just tired of a government that does not respond to the wishes of the people.

If you can relate with this movement then you may want to join one of the many scheduled tea parties that will take place on April, 15.

Over 400,00 have joined under the banner of the 9-12 project. The 9-12 project stands for 9 principles and 12 values, which are very much in line with the values and principles we believe as Catholics. It's an opportunity to get back to the basics that has made our government great.

I encourage you all to take a look at the website for this organization and join one of the scheduled tea parties to take place this month. Website for the 9-12 project, CLICK HERE.