The First 100 Days
Sojomail - April 30, 2009
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You cut those off and you cripple the health care system. Our global just-in-time economy means we are dependent on others. ... A Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bar has ingredients from nine countries in it. - Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said in response to calls that the U.S. should close its border with Mexico because of the spread of the swine flu virus. (Source: The New York Times) + Sign up to receive "Verse and Voice" - our daily quote and Bible verse e-mail
The First 100 Days
Wednesday marked the 100th day of President Obama's administration and the final day of Sojourners' Mobilization to End Poverty, the nation's largest gathering of Christian leaders and activists committed to overcoming poverty in our country and world. This Mobilization brought together more than 1,100 Christians from across the religious spectrum who visited 83 Senate and 200 House offices to advocate for including low-income families and vulnerable people in the economic recovery. Participants on the first full day of the Mobilization were excited and energized by a video message from the president, who took the opportunity to recommit to overcoming poverty in our country and partnering with the faith community. In the first 100 days, President Obama has made unprecedented strides and set promising priorities in two key areas -- expanding economic opportunity at home and forging a new role for the U.S. in the world. In regard to poverty, the president and his administration have shown a clear commitment to ensure that poor and low-income people are not left out of the economic recovery plan and the budget. There has not been a president or a budget I have seen in my lifetime that has so carefully considered the people Jesus called "the least of these." These early steps show that poverty reduction will be a commitment of the Obama administration, both in word and deed. This can be accomplished through commitments in his budget and stimulus plan to repair a neglected safety net for those who find themselves without jobs, key investments in infrastructure that will create new jobs and opportunities, especially green jobs, finally achieving health care reform, and a long-term plan for ensuring that our schools and institutions of higher education are the best in the world. His budget's commitment to foreign aid will make sure that the progress we have seen on reducing extreme poverty across the world will continue in a time when we could easily backslide. Regarding our role in the global community, from the moment he was inaugurated President Obama changed the image of the U.S. in the eyes of the world. He has made substantive policy changes and set priorities that are forging a new global role for our country. First, he has reached out to the Muslim world and begun to build the bridges and understanding that will be necessary for peace, security, and prosperity in our world. Second, he has clearly and unequivocally stated his commitment to ensuring that torture is not acceptable and will no longer be a tool of U.S. foreign policy. Third, his global commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons is a compelling vision for which we have already waited too long, and an early commitment to that goal offers the opportunity for serious progress over the course of his administration. Fourth, early steps in foreign policy have shown a preference for development and diplomacy over mere military action, and we urge that emphasis continue in Afghanistan rather than increasing combat troops. By dropping the deceptive and misleading "war on terror," we have new opportunities for progress and peace. On values, vision, principles, and direction, President Obama's first 100 days have offered some real encouragement to many of us in the faith community. But the most important results are yet to come. For that, it will take a vital, new partnership that includes both the support of the faith community when the Obama agenda is consistent with our own, and challenge when our prophetic integrity requires it -- a role that this new president has already affirmed. + Click to respond to this article on the God's Politics Blog
+ See what's new on the blog of Jim Wallis and friends M2EP Images: How to Be a Light on the Hill M2EP: Voices from Capitol Hill M2EP Video: Mo?bi?lize: To Put into Motion Swine Flu, Hog Farms, and Piggish Politics Audio: Earmarked for Kingdom Justice Holding Government Accountable on Poverty -- in Africa M2EP Live: Why We're Here, part II M2EP Live: Assembling AIDS kits M2EP LIVE: Just Back From Capitol Hill M2EP Live: Frederick Haynes on God's Grammar Help is On the Way M2EP LIVE: Taking On the Powers (kind of) Sunday Night at the Mobilization M2EP LIVE: Meeting Sojo Supporters M2EP Live: Charlotte Keys Update M2EP Live: We're on the Inside M2EP Live Video: Sunday Evening Worship Service M2EP Live: First blog M2EP Live: First Night Photos M2EP Live: Why We're Here M2EP Live Video: Sojo Offices Before the Mobilization The Hole in Our Gospel: Interview with World Vision's Richard Stearns
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