Is it Fair?
by Larry Janezic, OFM
FAN Issue Advocate

In proposing an economy that cares for the most needy, FAN acknowledges that complex policy questions may polarize the debate under the rubric “fairness.”  Two much-debated areas are housing policy and taxes.  As some propose to help people by adjusting  mortgage rates, others ask: is it fair?  Is it fair that one homeowner gets relief for overextending him or herself and by living in a house that is far beyond his or her capacity to afford?  Moreover, it is fair that his or her neighbor, who has made timely payments and lived within his or her means, is not getting help?  Is it fair that the very top tax bracket may carry up to 40% of the tax burden?  Is it fair to raise the capital gains tax rate on the top bracket from 15% to 20%?

These are difficult questions.  In responding to them, one must go to the heart of one’s value system.  In so doing we often find a truly inspired answer.  The Franciscan approach, of course, is  that  economy should be  relational and thus shared.     A shared recovery implies that there is more to personal happiness and fulfillment than money.  How do we understand Thomas Jefferson’s much celebrated pursuit of happiness ?  Fr. David Courturier, OFM Cap, guides us to an alternative way of living.   In such a debate, we must be truly honest with ourselves.  Many of us professed religious enjoy a standard of living that is relatively comfortable.  Yet, because of the vows we are constantly challenged to recognize excess in our lives. We are called to live in solidarity with those who struggle.  Often we are thus inspired by the humility and faith of those who have little.  St. Francis saw the inequities of his world as being offensive to God.  Do we?

The debate about fairness can go on and on because it is hard to determine what is truly fair.   What is easier to agree upon is that we are truly blessed to live in a country that values freedom and that rewards hard work and initiative.  Yet we see that this freedom gives license to abuse and excess.   And, that isn’t fair.

In our policy work, FAN  gives higher priority to the poor and the struggling.  In the principles stated in support on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 the FAN means to be faithful to the Franciscan tradition.  It envisions and promotes a society which is more relational and communal.  At this moment in our history we experience  a tremendous call for the rescue  ability of our federal government.  In the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, the role of government is to help people realize their human dignity by providing  appropriate support.  It became  clear that the federal government in the Fall of 2008 was a willing instrument of support in attempting to rescue failed financial institutions.  It became clearer still that the federal government had a critical role in the formulation of economic stimulus on the winter of 2009.  The debate reached consensus that something had to be done. The arguments centered around the package’s details, not its necessity.

Its details substantially involve housing and taxes.  FAN will continue to advocate for the well being of the poor.  We suggest that there be multiple opportunities that offer and challenge responsible home ownership.  There must be no more victimization based on material illusion. We look forward to appropriate regulation to stop it.  Housing policy is most sound when it fosters relational community development that values accountability both ways.  On the issue of taxes, FAN recognizes the importance of a progressive tax structure.   This progressive tax structure is particularly important in difficult economic times when the most vulnerable are subject to disaster as a result of the crisis as opposed to inconvenience. The fairness argument recognizes a growing chasm between rich and poor. It calls us to stem the growth of that divide.  The image of Francis caring for the leper and giving his cloths to the beggar inspire us to ask: is it fair?

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