A Community Issues Accountability Session will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 601 E. Ft. Lowell. It will tackle the related issues of bifurcation and poverty. In case you missed it, yesterday’s Star carried an article saying that 10% of earners took home more than 50% of the country’s income in 2012.
Bifurcation is the new term being used to describe marketing to both ends of the economic spectrum. Think Toyota and its sister brand, Lexus. The Iphone 5 vs. the Iphone for China. Or this week’s doozy heard on NPR: basic toilet paper vs. embossed and perfumed rolls. It’s the business world’s reaction to ever-increasing income inequality.
What is the religious world’s reaction?
Lately, there’s a lot being said about poverty. Among the country’s largest cities, Tucson is the 6th poorest. Who is responsible? What should be done?
What’s your institution’s reaction to poverty?
In truth, we are all responsible as a community and there are many concrete things that could be done. On Oct. 6, Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) leaders will ask city and county officials and candidates what they plan to do about poverty.
This will not be an interview, a campaign speech, or an unscripted town hall meeting. In addition to open-ended questions dealing with poverty, there will be specific questions targeted to concrete issues (i.e., bus fares, funding for JobPath, etc.) that directly affect the poor.
Please attend and invite your congregation to participate at this session at Sacred Hearth. This is one of Tucson’s poorest neighborhoods, so it’ll be a very appropriate place to discuss poverty. Flyers, bulletin announcements, and sign-up sheets are attached.
All the Democratic and Republican candidates for city council wards 3 and 5 and County Supervisor Richard Elias have confirmed their attendance. Keep in mind that city council members run in ward primaries, BUT in a citywide general election. Issues such as education, jobs, youth, bus fares, and immigration will be discussed.
PCIC’s pledge is to hold public officials accountable for their promises AFTER the election. That means at budget time and all year long, whenever important decisions that affect the common good are being made.
The leadership of PCIC hopes that you and your congregants will join us on Oct. 6th.
For the PCIC Strategy Team:
Rev. Tom Tureman, Most Holy Trinity
Mr. Ernie Lujan, Santa Cruz Parish / Casa Maria
Rev. Leah Sandwell-Weiss, St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal