Friends,

The national debate about Social Security needs broadening. Your voice is key to the Call to Renewal and Sojourners campaign effort to do that.

To guarantee the health of Social Security will not be easy. It will require our best bipartisan thinking and collaboration. The discussion about Social Security should raise fundamental moral questions about government and the common good, and be an opportunity to lift up our commitment to all our neighbors. But that hasn't been the case so far.

There is no trust more sacred to biblical faith than the injunctions to care not only for our immediate families but also the larger family of all humanity. We are commanded to "Honor your father and your mother," and care for those in need.

Without Social Security, nearly half of elderly Americans would be in poverty; with it, only 10 percent are. For nearly two-thirds of the elderly, Social Security provides the majority of their income. Further, over one-third of benefits from Social Security go to non-retirees: widows, the disabled, low-income kids in need. To the detriment of the common good, the discussion of Social Security has been almost exclusively focused on privatization.

There is a lot at stake for Social Security - but also for the role of government. Budget cuts for social programs and tax cuts for the rich don't bode well for the common good. The Washington approach to government and society over the past years favors "me" over "we" and invests in private solutions instead of shared responsibility. Government is not the only answer to national and community challenges - but it has a role to play.

Just as too many spending and tax policies threaten our basic social fabric and communities, the Social Security proposals with a chance of being addressed by Congress focus almost exclusively on private accounts, which require risk and/or benefit cuts, and do not address the coming Social Security shortfall or include steps to extend the program's solvency.

Social Security is an expression of national values. It is about protecting the American dream, but also honoring God's community by providing opportunity and dignity. People of faith should be troubled by the narrow focus thus far in the Social Security debate. Government philosophies that gamble with critical social supports are not new. But at this time, with Social Security and basic supports for all people at risk, we must raise a prophetic voice about national commitments.

We must push Congress to understand what is at stake for all Americans. It's up to us and others who care about a better, broader national discussion to bring that about. Call to Renewal and Sojourners will work to put the people back in the conversation, help move the discussion to higher ground, and urge leaders to keep the promise for all God's people. But we need your help.

Social Security is a covenant for the common good, and I hope you'll join us in strengthening that commitment. We can lift a vision and voice for better priorities from Washington.

Blessings,
Jim Wallis
Convener, Call to Renewal
Editor, Sojourners

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