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 Connecting to... Vote 2008 |
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Introduction Reflection Process Info: Candidates, Elected Officials, Legislation Presidential Candidates on Issues Presidential Candidates' Web Sites Questions for Candidates Resources Voting
Introduction: Faith-filled U.S. citizenship calls us to active participation in what has become a very long primary and general election process on local, state, and national levels. We offer this subsection to provide tools, particularly for the presidential race, for informed, faith-based decision-making -- in seeking the common good in our interconnected world. (Note: links are provided within arbitrary categories -- many links could fit under several headings.) Remember that each of us, individually and acting together, can Make a Difference!
You are encouraged to use documents from your religious tradition related to political responsibility from a faith perspective. For example, in the Roman Catholic tradition, U.S. Bishops offer guidance and a challenge via Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. In it, they raise questions from a framework of a consistent life ethic.
Also, track money in politics and its effect on elections and public policy by visiting OpenSecrets.org.
Reflection Process -- Hill Connections invites you to use a reflection process, individually or communally, as you select and support candidates whose policies and values will help shape a world in which all God's children will thrive and enjoy the fullness of life.
Place two pictures of children before you:
- A child that is special to you, a relative, a next door neighbor, a student
- A child in need (from poverty, war, abuse, disease) in another country
Ask yourself:
- What most impacts their lives?
- What kind of a world do you want for them?
- What guidance and values from social justice teachings, documents, and principles speak to your desire to shape a better world for them?
- What public policies would be most life-giving for them?
- Which candidates' positions and values will help further that kind of world?
- How can you give the gift of your citizenship in shaping the world that you dream of for these children?
To assist your reflection, consider using the Remembering Our Children ritual, the 4-Step Social Analysis Process, and U.S. Catholic Bishops' questions (from Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility).
Blessings on your reflection process!
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Info: Candidates, Elected Officials, Legislation
FactCheck.org checks political statements to hold politicians accountable NETWORK -- Election 2008: Candidates and Information (city, state, and nation) OpenSecrets.org -- Money in U.S. Elections Project Vote Smart -- information on candidates (local and national) Rasmussen Reports -- political reports THOMAS -- information on legislators, bills, committees, and more U. S. Politics -- presidential race, 50 states, issues, ideologies, calendar, news links (diverse sources) PBS's Vote 2008-- electoral map, analysis, and more VoteGopher.com -- candidate issues, bios VotefromAbroad -- electoral map, races |
Presidential Candidates' on Issues CNN Election Center 2008 -- info on candidates, issues, money FCNL's Presidential Candidates Report Grist's Election 2008: Compare the Candidates NETWORK's 2008 Presidential Chart for Conseientious Catholics: English and Spanish Peace Action's Presidential Voter Guide 2008 PBS's -- Vote 2008 The Primaries
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Presidential Candidates' Web Sites Democratic Republican
2008 Party Nominees |
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Questions for Candidates Center of Concern -- Voting for the Common Good, Election 2008 Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) -- Questions to Ask the Candidates U.S. Catholic Bishops' questions Union of Concerned Scientists' Engage 2008 Candidates |
Resources Hill Connections' Vote 2008 Social Analysis (Open 4-page pdf file with Acrobat Reader. Print pages back-to-back to make booklet.) League of Women Voters Education Fund -- Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns -- National Religious Campaign Against Torture Action Fund -- Pew Charitable Trust -- Polling Report -- Sisters of Mercy -- Sojourners -- U.S. Catholic Bishops' Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Vote the Common Good"s Platform for the Common Good |
Voting
Register to Vote League of Women Voters Education Fund -- |
Acknowledgement
"Faces of the Children" art piece: Fran Gregory, CSJ Associate. Used with permission.
Connecting to... includes:
Introduction Action Alerts— Urgent! Calendars Employment
Learning via Travel Prayer Requests/Partners Servite-related Sites Vote 2008
You are invited to visit this Hill Connections section often; it will be regularly modified and updated.
Feedback and suggestions are welcome.
Modified October 2, 2008.