Sounds confusing

This is my first blog. I am a 49 year old man who is still trying to catch up with the technological venues that our society is racing through. Still I feel I have a voice, maybe not all that unique, but one that I do not hear enough. I am a Catholic Democrat.

Right away this seems to cause some controversy. It seems that nowadays, most Catholics feel a lot of pressure to vote a certain way due to one peculiar teaching of the church: abortion. Due to this one issue, it seems most Catholics are being pushed to vote Republican. It is an important issue, but it is not the only one and it worries me when churches use "litmus test" to determine who is truly faithful and who is not.

Being Catholic is a lot more than just whether or not we feel abortions should be allowed or whether we want them to be abolished. I think most Catholics would agree that we would like to see them abolished, but it is not the only issue, nor is voting Republican the only means by which to stop abortions.

I think the Republican party has succeeded in giving many Catholics a type of tunnel vision. The fact of the matter is, neither party is consistant with Catholic teaching. By voting Republican we are also accepting the use of the death penalty as a form of capital punishment. By voting Republican we give up our desire to see that the least fortunate in our society are assisted to achieve a certain level of dignity economically. Voting Republican, lately seems to be a push for giving the greatest tax breaks for rich people.

There are so many scriptures to consider:

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31

"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty" Proverbs 22:16

"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,"have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?" James 2: 1-7

So this blog is dedicated to understanding what it means to be both Democrat and Catholic.