Support Tax Credits/Vouchers for Catholic Schools. It is less taxing!

One of the things that has really bugged me over the years, is the lack of gratitude by public officials (and even many everyday citizens) to those who send their children to Catholic Schools. (This, of course, also applies to those who send their children to schools of other faiths, as well as, secular schools.) We are ignored and at times even derided by public officials and some citizens, who view us and our children, as second class students.

According to the State of Maryland, it costs apx. $13,453 to educated a student in FY2011.* This will of course, be slightly higher in some localities, while lower in others but as a baseline, we will round it up to $13,500 per student.

There are apx. 11,000 students in Catholic elementary and high schools in Montgomery County.** This number may be a bit higher or lower but we will use this as the baseline. (Note that there is always one segment which is always ignored and that is the apx. 38,000 home schoolers in the State of Maryland.)

Because of this, Catholic schools (located in MoCo) in the Archdiocese of Washington save the State of Maryland and MoCo over $148 million each year. That is not pocket change. This is a staggering amount.

Now, why do I say this?

For many years, the Archdiocese of Washington and many private schools have lobbied hard for not only for textbook funding but also for a tuition tax credit. Constantly, Catholic and private school parents have been rebuffed. The usual arguments are: (1) It is your choice to do so, so don't blame me; and/or (2) we don't want to subsidize someone's faith.

But what would happen if every Catholic school in MoCo closed because parents could not afford the tuition and fees? How about all private schools?
Do you think that the State of MD and/or MoCo could handle the influx of these students? Do you think that they could come up with the funds to cover the added cost without taking it out of your wallet? If they are "crying" now about the fact that they do not have enough funds, what would happen in this scenario?

So, the next time you meet a parent who sends their children to a Catholic or private school, don't simply say thank you. Support their efforts for textbook funding and a tuition tax credit. It will save you money in the long run.

*Maryland At A Glance Website. Site updated on Feb. 20, 2013.
** Private School Guide website

USCCB: Throwing Money at Those Who Oppose Us

Our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism has reported that the USCCB is throwing another $800K towards illegal aliens.  Some will be going to their front group, but other funds will be going to an organization which opposes the Catholic Church on a number of issues.  

Why are we doing this?  Why don't we just throw the money donated by the faithful out the window.  At least it may go to someone who can use it.
 

MCC: Off-Target

The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) is the lobbying arm of the Archdiocese of Washington, Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Wilmington (DE).  It represents the Roman Catholic Church in the Maryland Legislature. 

 

There is nothing wrong with having a office dedicated to pushing issues that are important to you.  There are many groups out there who have such a lobbying effort.

What really bothers me is when the MCC gets involved in an issue for which they show their ignorance.  The recent example is their support of gun control in the State of Maryland.

So, let's take a very brief look at their press release/talking points.

First, let's ask the question:  Which is an "assault weapon?"  

 A.  a knife   

 B. a baseball bat   

C.  a Colt® AR-15 Tactical Carbine    

D. All of the Above.   

 Answer:  D.  All of the above.

You see, you can use any of the above items to "assault" someone.   The term "assault weapon" is a made up phrase from the 1994 piece of legislation which outlawed certain semi-automatic rifles because of their cosmetic appearance.  That is right, the MCC is more worried about what a rifle looks like, than what it can do. 

Second, they claim that reducing magazine size will reduce killings. The 1994 legislation which banned magazines holding more than 10 rounds, it had NO EFFECT on the crime rate.  Don't trust me, look at the statistics.

Third, their support of licensing, database, etc. does absolutely nothing to deter criminals and puts an undue burden on law abiding citizens.  Criminals do not go into gun shops and purchase a gun (with all of the paperwork that goes along with it), so that they can go out and commit a crime.  Criminals do not leave their guns at crime scenes.  If they do, it is a gun which has been stolen or unregistered.  The only people that this really puts a burden on are law abiding citizens, who look to protect themselves and their communities.

Finally, the MCC takes a statement by the US Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) and "sells-it" as official Church teaching, which it is not.  It is simply a statement which has no official bearing.

What we have there is the MCC using the talking points of the radical left and making it their own.  They are wasting their time and limited resources on measures, which do nothing to help end violence and promote a culture of life.  All this is, is a "feel good" attempt  to allow them to say that they did something, even if it does absolutely nothing to change the hearts and minds of those for whom life is cheap.   

Maybe it is time to ban the Maryland Catholic Conference instead of "assault weapons." 

Something New...

Greetings Everyone:

I apologize to all for not posting as I should. 

The last few months (more like a year or so) have been quite busy.  Hopefully, by summer, I will have some more direction on some aspects of my life.   

I have been asked to periodically post on the (People's Republic of) Takoma Park Patch on religious topics. 

After some thought, I have accepted and will once a week attempt to publish an article.  Whenever, possible, I will post both here and over there.

Why did I accept?  It will give me a chance to get the word out to a slightly different and possibly larger audience.  If it does not work out, so be it and I will be back here only.

If you are interested in viewing my first posting, you may click here:
http://takomapark.patch.com/blog_posts/gratia-benedictus-xvi

Let's take a few moments to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict.   Let us also pray for those who will elect a new pope that the Holy Spirit guides and that they are not led astray by the evil one.

 

The Lavendar Mafia is still powerful but we can fight it.

Over the last few days, there have been a number of reports of a special report, only held by the Pope, on the homosexuals within the clergy in Rome. 

On the heels of this, we have a story, published in LifeSite news, that the homosexual underground is alive and well. 

It is important that anyone who comes across information about a priest who is not living a chaste life, should be immediately be reported.  If a priest, deacon or religous who is supporting homosexual unions, should also be report to the Archdiocese for immediate removal.  If that does not work, then take it up the next step -- to the Holy See -- with copies of all documention.

For more, go here:  http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/catholic-expert-details-39huge-homosexual-underground-in-the-church39

 

"We can't just do business as usual..."

In an interview with Cardinal Wuerl:

“Whoever is going to hold the see of Peter, whoever is going to sit in Peter’s chair is going to have to see the issues as Blessed John Paul did, as Benedict did, as the synod did, as I think most of the cardinals do, that is: that we are very, very much like the early church in relation to the world around us,” the cardinal said. “Christianity is no longer a dominant culture, secularism is the dominant force in the world of culture. So the Holy Father is going to have to be a person whose focus will be on that.”

To read the rest, go here:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1300836.htm