Christian Ethics and the Federal Budget

What policies should believers support?

This article was published by RealClear Politics:

Is the current debate over the federal budget a topic of concern for faithful Christians?

What wisdom does Christian theology impart upon this messy fiscal process?

Well for starters, budget debates in Washington mostly focus on purely commercial objectives. For most liberals, the agenda tilts toward their vision of “equity,” which is really just a more palatable term for communism. For conservatives, the process normally only involves a fixation on topline growth…the highest possible national GDP, regardless of the social consequences.

Of course, the Christian worldview demands more -- and commands a difference.

We reject statism entirely and recognize, more than most, the threats posed by an all-encompassing state that not only stifles economic opportunity, but also represses the soul through the false god of secular progressivism.

Concurrently, we must do better than the cold mercantilist approach that diminishes human beings into mere cogs in an economic machine that seeks maximum output, regardless of the fallout for communities and families.

For Catholics in particular, we take direction from the seminal Church teaching on this subject of economics, Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIII taught that private ownership of enterprise “is not only lawful, but absolutely necessary.” He also praised the dignity of work, in language later channeled through Pope John Paul II in his related encyclical, Laborem Exercens, extolling the wonder of creative work that honors the ultimate Creator, God himself.

The current populist moment in America also flows from a pro-worker perspective, and this movement comes to power primarily because of economic circumstances. Globalist crony capitalism has worked amazingly well for the credentialed ruling class of society. Bu the working-class masses know they have been left behind by a crooked system, and they vote accordingly.

The power centers of America – from New York newsrooms to elite faculty university lounges to cooperate C suites – they all still grapple with this new reality of an ascendant America First movement. Most of the powerbrokers that run those entities still cannot fathom why the working-class masses rally so fervently to an agenda of populist nationalism.

In this regard, those same potentates reveal their lack of understanding of Christian principles. After all, followers of Jesus have, for time immemorial, prioritized the success and prosperity of families and communities, not multinational conglomerates. We pay homage to the precepts of economic subsidiarity, as explained so eloquently by GK Chesterton. A vibrant society needs decision-making and economic power dispersed throughout the land. In comparison, efficiency studies from Harvard Business School ring hollow.

This philosophy does not seep into the tyranny of socialism, as Austrian economics adherents might suggest. Instead, this authentic Chirstian approach to the economy will always prioritize private enterprise, while concurrently insisting that public policy be ordered toward the common good, rather than toward maximum efficiency that rewards a connected few.

To get specific, families and small businesses have been utterly crushed by the punishing inflation of the Joe Biden era. That view is not my opinion, but in fact the dismal reality, as expressed in substantive polling. For example, the latest poll my organization conducted - of Wisconsin voters - revealed that 60% of heartland voters say that Bidenomics “hurt their families” vs. only 29% who report that it “helped their families.”

Thankfully, the same poll reveals a newfound sense of optimism since Trump’s election, with Wisconsin young adults (age 18-24) growing “more confident” on the economy by a wide 56-29% margin.

Those same young adults face economic hurdles that were unknown to their parents and grandparents. Home ownership seems impossible to these young Americans, which is not surprising given the worst housing affordability ratios in all US history.

No wonder these young adults recoil and turn away from marriage and parenthood. There are other cultural, religious, and non-financial forces in play, of course. But the economic incentives are presently stacked firmly against family formation, in direct contravention to Christian values.

For people like me who are middle aged or older, we recall nostalgically a society where middle class families could thrive on a single income. Is that scenario even possible today? Not for the masses, no way!

Regarding those issues, as Americans, we respect the full right of all citizens to make crucial life decisions on their own volition, regarding marriage, children , and relationships. Liberty means that citizens may pursue happiness as they please.

Concurrently, as Christian citizens, we must insist upon policies that prioritize strong, stable families. We must also embrace distributivism, and policies that foster a diffusion of economic power.

In this regard, tackling stifling inflation represents an absolute economic north star. Runaway prices crush families’ budgets and sap spirits. Entrenched successful people and corporations can handle inflation and, in many cases, even benefit from it. But for the working-class masses, inflation kills prosperity and siphons the dynamism of free enterprise from Main Street.

In this sense, the budget wrangling is about more than simply numbers. Rather, it unfolds partly as a spiritual battle, one that requires the activism of the faithful. We can make certain that the America First movement achieves a long talked-about agenda that finally reins-in runaway government, and compels a return to fiscal sanity.

Such reforms would whip inflation and help lead to the kind of society we want – a place where families thrive, small businesses blossom, and the common good becomes paramount.

Steve Cortes is founder of the League of American Workers and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote. He was former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance – and also former commentator for Fox News and CNN.