The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Feb. 5, 2004. Letters appearing in this space do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arlington Catholic Herald or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. There is no guarantee of publication. Send letters to: letters@catholicherald.com.

Twisting the Secular Press

A great service could be rendered to readers of the HERALD if you were to include some of the facts behind your secular-press articles such as "State Legislators Seem Receptive to Warner’s Speech" (ACH 1/22/04). Was Ken Cuccinelli, a Catholic and true Republican, receptive? Senator Quayle was. He claims that we must increase taxes by more than 5 percent per year. That is not factual. As shown at www.fcta.org, to keep up with population and inflation, Virginia tax revenues should have increased 3.8 percent per year since 1997 whereas the Warner budget increases taxes so much that the average will be almost twice that rate.

The article does not use Catholic principles by which we should judge the Warner budget. Are we to take as fact that a tax system is fairer if it further raises taxes on the high-income people and decreases taxes on the low-income people? Is such a tax system fair if it burdens those who are working long hours while rewarding those working a minimum? Where does the article invoke the principle of subsidiary such that local schools should be funded locally? Again, as shown at www.fcta.org, over the past 20 years state funding of public schools has increased 10 times faster than enrollment. Is this increase justifiable? Is pouring more money into government schools fair to students who might otherwise attend more effective private schools using vouchers?

Please add some value to secular press articles with objective, factual, Catholic analyses, especially in light of the bias so frequently found in the secular press.

Frederick A. Costello
Herndon

Walking the Walk

I wanted to respond to a letter from last week’s edition that suggested that when it comes to pro-life issues, the government talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk (ACH 1/29/04). This view is a gross misrepresentation of the current Congress and Administration. In just three years, this pro-life administration has made great strides in the battle to advance the cause. For example, immediately upon taking office, President Bush reinstated the "Mexico City Policy" which restricts U.S. foreign aide dollars from being used to finance or promote abortions. This policy, which started with Presidents Reagan and George Bush Sr., was discontinued by President Clinton during his administration. A ban on partial-birth abortions has been signed into law under the current president, after having been vetoed by Clinton. President Bush has committed to signing the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, introduced by Rep. Melissa Hart, R-Pa. (also known as Laci and Conner’s Law), hopefully the pro-abortion Senators currently blocking its consideration will allow it to be considered in that body. In addition to these legislative initiatives, the president is also nominating pro-life judges to fill vacant seats within the federal judiciary; many of these well-qualified nominees have been the victims of vicious political assaults by the pro-abortion lobby and their patrons in Congress.

Last week’s author also suggests that more government involvement is the only answer to the problems of poverty and inadequate education. While creating many new federal initiatives in this area, President Bush has also actively sought to assist private institutions (including those affiliated with religious organizations) in their efforts to obtain government funding to support their programs. These private faith-based organizations operate far more efficiently, with much less waste, than does the federal government bureaucracy. The burden to help the poor and those otherwise displaced in our society rests on our shoulders. We as Catholics and Americans should not simply rely on the government to help our neighbors. Remembering President John F. Kennedy’s words, "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," we are all responsible for helping those in need. There are literally hundreds of governmental programs to assist families in need, especially children. However, no program, either private or public, no matter how well intentioned or funded can assist a child who was never given a chance to be born. First and foremost our government and its leaders must work to end abortion. Pro-life supporters should be proud of the advances made by our current government; our President has talked the talk, and walked the walk.

Frank Tillotson
Woodbridge

Seeking the Truth in Education

I was intrigued to read the article by George Weigel in the past issue (ACH 1/29/04). He certainly hits the nail on the head about the importance of a liberal arts education, which, in contrast to many vocational programs at secular universities, provides a rich, classical education, as all universities once did. This type of education leads the student to realize that yes, truth really exists, and we can know it; to think clearly, to analyze and synthesize good ideas, to express and articulate well. Building on this, the liberal arts steep the student in the timeless brilliance of great thinkers in all ages, building a synthesis of rich ideas in history, philosophy, logic, language, literature, math, science and religion. In the end, graduates are produced who possess some share of wisdom, and the mental tools to succeed in whatever endeavor beckons them.

The only point I take gentle issue with is Weigel’s categorical statement about University of Dallas being unquestionably the top Catholic liberal arts school in the country. I am an alumnus of

Christendom College in Virginia, and feel honor bound to point out that everything he likes about their core curriculum exists, at least equally well, at the scenic Christendom campus. Chistendom also has a rigorous and rich liberal arts core, challenging Rome semester(s) abroad, and professors who are docile to truth and faithful to the teaching magisterium of the Catholic Church.

I would point out that each of the small, Catholic liberal arts colleges is succeeding far better than most colleges these days in turning out students who can recognize and defend truth in an articulate manner. What many employers are happily discovering is that a liberal arts education is truly the best preparation for dependable, intelligent and self-motivated men and women in a wide variety of professions.

The remaining issue, as Weigel points out, is for each of these colleges to improve their ability to raise funds and continue growing by promoting their product. It is unfortunately true that wisdom and truth do not always sell themselves, and it takes persistence guided by ingenuity to carry this light to prospective students and contributors.

Thanks, Weigel, for your timely article on this subject.

Jim Blaney
Christendom Class of ‘88

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