Voting and the Common Good

Every four years since 1976 the Catholic Bishops of the United States have produced a statement in advance of the election: "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility." The 2004 edition of this document states,

"Politics in this election year and beyond should be about an old idea with new power - the common good. The central question should not be 'Are you better off than you were four years ago?' It should be, 'How can we - all of us, especially the weak and vulnerable - be better off in the years ahead? How can we protect and promote human life and dignity? How can we pursue greater justice and peace?'"

The document details principles of Catholic social teaching to serve as yardsticks for voters.

Before we vote, it would serve us well to read this years' statement: www.usccb.org