Important things

I would like to talk about values.

Being around certain circles for far too long in my life, I heard a great deal of emphasis placed on taxes and making sure that no one was taking away their “hard-earned money”. They said that they were “one issue voters” (abortion) but in reality, the biggest issue was how much or how little they were being taxed.

The other day, I overheard one gentleman  saying, “all that matters is how much money I have left in my pocket…”

I am all for responsible spending by officials at every level. I am all for minimizing waste. But to me there are issues that are far, far more important than how much money is left in my pocket at the end of the day.

For one thing, I know that I have a Father in heaven that will provide all things necessary for body and soul, so I don’t fret it (or at least TRY not to fret it).

So I thought I would give a list of things more important than how much money is left in my pocket. Here goes:

It is important that my neighbor has access to health care. That if they get cancer, they won’t have to lose their house to pay the bill.

It is important that my neighbor can go to college and get an education without selling her soul to a loan shark and pay for the next 40 years.

It is important that libraries stay open and free. That the community has a place to gather.

It is important that homeless shelters have the funding that they need to feed and protect those who need it.

It is important that women who are not safe at home have a place they can run to and receive care and protection.

It is important that those who are vulnerable and afraid have access to advocates who can stand with them as they seek for justice.

It is important that parents have a place to turn when their children aren’t getting enough to eat.

It is important that widows and orphans have access to food and housing and healthcare.

It is important that water and food supplies are safe and effective.

It is important that social services are funded and those who go to work every day ensuring that children and families are safe at home have all the resources that they need.

It is important that justice is served. It is important that our streets are safe.

It is important that teachers should be paid what they are worth and that they don’t have to buy supplies out of their own pockets every year.

It is important that children have access to food.

It is important that the disabled have enough support to live with dignity, pursuing happiness and life and liberty without wondering if they will eat, or have a home, or have anyone to help them when they need it.

It is important that those who protect our air and water and earth and plants be given the resources that they need to do their work. Fresh air and clean water is important.

It is important that immigrants are treated with dignity and honor, fed and housed and given a speedy hearing and not left in limbo in cages along the border.

I never want to live in a community where the hungry have no where to turn, where families are on the street, where mental health care doesn’t exist, where you can’t have access to medical care because you don’t have the right insurance…

The country of promise – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Now for me it is important that these values are available for ALL, not just some few at the top.

All of these things are monumentally important. For me, a few extra dollars in my pocket don’t really mean a lot if we lose our humanity along the way.