A Balanced Way to Balance the Budget By Ronald J. Sider
The Study Guide
EvangelicalsforSocialAction.org
Fixing The Moral Deficit
The ability to live and thrive now for many hundreds of millions of needy people here and abroad, and the possibility of a decent future for our grandchildren—that is what is at stake in the debate about the federal budget deficit and debt. We can try to solve the budget deficit on the backs of the poor (or our grandchildren) or we can choose justice for all. We must choose. Ron Sider
Contents Week 1 - The Crisis Is Real .............................................................................. 3 Week 2 - Crucial Economic Data: “Just the Facts Ma’am” .................................. 4 Week 3 - The Big Questions in the Debate ....................................................... 5 Week 4 - Current Proposals: Simply Not Good Enough .................................... 6 Week 5 - A Better Way .................................................................................... 7 Week 6 - A Better Way, Part Two ..................................................................... 8 Week 7 - We Can Do It! ................................................................................... 9 Week 8 - Action Steps ..................................................................................... 10
Week 1 - The Crisis Is Real
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Read Introduction and Chapter 1 In the introduction, Sider describes three crises—our budget and poverty crises have created a justice crisis. Together these three add up to a moral deficit within our society. ● How would you compare you own assessment of the crises to Sider’s? ● How is our budget deficit a sign of society’s greater moral deficit? ● How is the budget deficit crisis described in the media and from the mouths of politicians? To what extent do they frame the crisis in the same way that Sider does? In Chapter One, Sider describes the U.S. Government’s debt crisis. He notes, “our government would have had to spend $20 million every day since Jesus was born to reach the size of the present debt. To erase the debt, every man, woman and child in the United States would have to pay $48,000.” These facts and figures can make the debt crisis seem impossible to overcome. ● What feelings do you have as you read the facts presented in Chapter One? ● What aspect of this budget crisis is most surprising to you? ● How does Sider’s explanation for what has caused the debt crisis compare to what you hear in the news or from politicians? ● Do you agree with Sider that, “to try to balance the budget on the backs of the poor would be outrageously immoral?” Why or why not? ● Do you share Sider’s optimism—that we can find a solution to our moral deficit? Why or why not?
Week 2 - Crucial Economic Data “Just the Facts Ma’am” Read Chapter 2 In this chapter, Ron Sider lays out the startling facts of our current economic situation. Poverty is higher than ever before. Income growth and wealth distribution is extremely unequal. “Furthermore, contrary to the widespread myth of America as the greatest land of opportunity, economic mobility is far lower in the United States than in many European nations. It is far less likely that a poor American will rise from poverty to riches than a poor Canadian, German or French person.” ● What was most surprising to you as you read the chapter? ● The 2010 poverty level was $22,314 for a family of four. How many months does it take your family to spend that much money? ● What kinds of problems do you think that growing inequality in the U.S. might cause? There is also extreme inequality in compensation. The average Fortune 500 CEO earns 325 times more than the average worker. “The CEO of Walmart earned as much in one hour in 2008 as many store employees earn in a whole year of fulltime work.” ● If you were Walmart’s CEO, how would your compensation change the way you viewed others? How might your view of others be different if you were a low-wage store employee? ● How do you feel about the argument that our taxes are actually quite low? ● What surprised you about the comparison of two eras?
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Week 3 - The Big Questions in the Debate
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Read Chapter 3 Ron Sider sets out to answer several important questions. ● Who are persons? Am I responsible for my neighbor? ● How does Sider’s understanding—that the bible is witness to a respect for free, individual persons as well as an exhortation to live as interconnected beings in wholesome community—compare with your own understanding of what the Bible is witness to? ● How well is the American church doing in affirming this biblical concept? Should we have a special concern for the poor? Sider says, “God cares about the sanctity of human life and the poor, the family and peacemaking, sexual integrity and care for creation. Concern for the poor, however, is one of the most frequently stated biblical demands.” ● In what ways does knowing what God cares about affect your political decisions? ● What is justice? Sider says, “God wants....” every person and family to have access to the productive resources so that if they act responsibly, they can earn their own way and be dignified members of society.” ● How does our current economic system give people access to productive resources and a chance to be successful members of society? ● What are some areas that need improvement? ● How much inequality is acceptable or desirable? ● How can Christians help to prevent economic inequality from becoming so great that it is unjust? ● What is the role of government in overcoming poverty? ● Do you agree that the government needs to have some role in overcoming poverty? Why or why not? ● How well do you think the government is doing in overcoming poverty? ● What are some things that you and your church can do to help the poor?
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Week 4 - Current Proposals: Simply Not Good Enough Read Chapter 4
At the beginning of this chapter, Sider summarizes seven foundational biblical principles. From these principles and relevant economic data, he develops norms to guide our analysis of the budget crisis. These are norms that we can use to analyze current and future budget proposals. ● How does your understanding of the biblical witness compare to Sider’s seven biblical principles and economic facts? ● How well do you think that Sider’s seven norms follow from the seven biblical principles? ● Is there anything that you think could be added or removed from the list of norms? The rest of the chapter is a comparison of Congressman Paul Ryan’s and President Obama’s budget proposals. The two budgets show two vastly different ways to approach the budget. ● What do you think of Congressman Ryan’s proposal? ● What do you think of President Obama’s? ● In what way does either proposal reflect biblical principles? ● In what way does either proposal not reflect biblical principles? ● Do you agree with Sider’s assessment of these two proposals? Why or why not?
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Week 5 - A Better Way Read Chapter 5, pages 83-109 This chapter is where Sider lays out his plan for fixing our moral deficit. He admits that this is “the hard part.” He approaches the budget by identifying six areas that that are especially important. ● Do you agree that these six areas are “especially important?” Why or why not? ● What were your first impressions as you read the first half of this chapter? ● Have you ever received government assistance? Food Stamps, EITC, WIC, Pell Grant, National School Lunch Program, etc.? Do you know anyone that has? ● What impact did these kinds of programs have on your or someone you know? ● How do you feel about Sider’s proposal concerning programs that assist and empower the poor? ● Do you agree that the U.S. tax code should be more progressive? Why or why not? ● Which of the tax proposals do you agree with? Which do you disagree with? Why? Political pundits today talk about the importance of wealthy Americans for creating jobs. Rich people are sometimes called “job creators.” Yet Sider refutes the argument that lowering taxes is the best way to create jobs and grow the economy. ● What do you think of Sider’s response to this claim? ● Are there any changes or suggestions that you would make to his proposal so far? Why?
Week 6 – A Better Way, Part Two Read the rest of Chapter 5.
In the second half of chapter 5, Ron Sider finishes his proposal for fixing our moral deficit. Concerning Social Security, he calmly reminds us that, “There is no instant crisis. There is no disaster lurking in three or six years. Nor is the problem insurmountable.” •Do you have the same optimism? •How does the fact that the federal government spends $4 on every senior and only $1 on every child make you feel? •What do you think about Sider’s proposal for Social Security? •How does Sider’s proposal for health programs compare to other proposals you have heard about in the news? •What are some things that Christians can do to help reduce the strain on Medicare and Medicaid budgets? •How does it make you feel to know that the U.S. spends as much on defense as all other nations combined? •What are some ways that the U.S. can maintain peace without using military might? •Are there any changes or suggestions you would make to Sider’s proposal? Why?
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Week 7 - We Can Do It!
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Read Chapter 6 In this chapter, Sider affirms that we can solve our moral deficit. • How do you feel when you read about all the government waste and Congresspeople with special interests? • What are some ways that we can make our elected officials more accountable for their actions? • How can you and your church community join the rich heritage of Christian leaders like William Wilberforce, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Desmond Tutu as well as today’s leaders in affecting change in our country? Sider finishes this chapter with the compelling story of Pauline and her family. “Her story provides a vivid, concrete example of a poor family that has struggled hard against great odds and is making it—thanks to their own determination, a supportive church and many helpful government programs.” • What are your feelings about this story? • Do you know anyone with a story similar to Pauline’s? Describe it. • Do you think there are people in your community who face the same struggles Pauline did? • If so, how can your church come alongside to empower them to have a successful, dignified life?
Week 8 - Action Steps Read Action Steps In this final section of the book, Ron Sider gives eighteen action steps. They vary from simple to complex. Some might take five minutes other might take five months. But they are all ways that the average citizen can get involved in helping our country solve its moral deficit. • What are some organizations within your community that are devoted to empowering the poor or advocating on their behalf? • What are some steps you can take to simplify your life and reduce personal debt? • Who are your Senators and Representative? • Think individually about which action steps you will take to help fix our moral deficit. Spend some time sharing with each other what you plan do to. • Discuss ways that you can help each other carry out these steps and keep each other accountable. • As a group, discuss which of these action steps you would like to take to help fix our moral deficit. Brainstorm ideas. Delegate tasks. Set deadlines. Set up another meeting time to check your progress.
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Further Action Steps 1. If you haven’t already, please visit EvangelicalsforSocialAction.org to sign ESA’s petition for economic justice, calling for sound fiscal policies. 2. While you’re there, sign up for ESA’s free weekly ePistle at EvangelicalsForSocialAction.org/epistle. 3. You can also receive ESA’s award-winning PRISM magazine for free as a PDF. Sign up at EvangelicalsForSocialAction.org/PRISMPDF 4. Check out Ron Sider’s video on economic justice at ESA’s YouTube page (youtube.com/evansocaction).
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