If you’re a longtime Bold Faith Type reader, you know FPL and a broad range of faith leaders have sharply criticized Rep. Paul Ryan for authoring federal budgets that devastate seniors and struggling families, and forcefully rebuked him for using inaccurate theological arguments to defend this agenda. So I watched with keen interest last Thursday when Ryan released a set of anti-poverty proposals.
The plan included a few good policies, such as expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and criminal justice reforms that have bipartisan support, while avoiding some of the immoral safety-net cuts for which Ryan is well known. This is progress.
But the proposal also contained measures that would harm the people Ryan says he wants to help. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities warns that the “Opportunity Grants” at the heart of his plan would undermine housing assistance and SNAP. These vital supports for struggling families already accomplish Ryan’s stated goal of lifting millions of Americans out of poverty. Radically overhauling them makes no sense.
And the day after unveilling these policies, Ryan voted to end the Child Tax Credit for millions of working families who make less than $15,000 per year while extending it to include some who make more than $100,000. If he’s trying to revive compassionate conservatism, he’s not off to a great start.
I can see why some faith leaders would welcome a new opportunity for public dialogue with Ryan. Neither party has a monopoly on solutions, and Ryan’s new emphasis on the humanity and unique individual needs of people in poverty is a great improvement from his “makers versus takers” rhetoric.
But we should be very careful about playing into Ryan’s hands as he tries to rebrand himself as a compassionate wonk while still pushing harmful policies. The influence of Ayn Rand is still evident in his agenda.
