The G8 conference ended with George W. Bush remaining at odds with the other leaders on most issues. On aid to Africa, he signed off on the pledge to double the aid in the next five years, yet his aide, Faryar Shirzad, says that the U.S. commitment involves no new money. On Global warming, the president agrees on language that acknowledges global warming is caused by burning fossil fuels, yet he blocked efforts to set specific targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

George W. Bush claims to be a born-again Christian. The majority of his constituency call themselves born-again Christians. Bush was reelected on a platform of values. Where are his values concerning aid to the poor and where are his values concerning our stewardship of this planet? In the Magnificat, Mary says, “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Aiding the poor is surely an important value.

The largest issues on the agenda of the Christian Right are right to life issues. Do the millions around the world who are dying of hunger and disease not have a right to life? Speaking of the unborn, do the billions who are yet to be born not have the right to life on a planet that was not raped by greedy ancestors?

Mary was right. The time is coming when the rich and powerful will be brought low and the rich will be sent empty away. Wouldn't it be a much better world if we did our part in alleviating hunger and restoring our planet before that happens?

Jesus told the rich young ruler, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Think of what the United States of America could do if it even gave a mere tenth of its wealth to aid Africa and the other poor countries of the world. Just think what could be done to wipe out poverty if every citizen of the United States gave a tithe to aid the poor. Each of us, including our president, is responsible for giving a cup of cold water to the one who thirsts.