Pope

With the new Pope in the news I see a corollary between the Catholic Church and the Republican Party. Both are trying to broaden their bases without giving up their basic principles. Catholics in the western democracies are pushing for priest to marry, for women priest, and for birth control while Republicans want a big tent that does not exclude people based on social issues like abortion, gay marriage, family values. Both of these groups could benefit if they directed their attention to those area where they agree. Republicans could gather around small government, low taxes, debt reduction and a strong military while Catholics could concentrate on helping the poor, strengthening Catholic School and Charities, and promoting the kind of life that Jesus exemplified. There is a lengthy list of items distracting these two groups from the main event. Talking about gun control, foreign aid, Bengasi, birth certificates, PBS, and government waste is a waste. Stick to the issues the matter. The Church must admit to the scandals, take action to solve the problem and get on with helping the poor and down trodden. Their actions will speak louder. Both the Church and the Republicans believe in a safety net for those in need and both agree that helping people to help themselves is the solution. Welfare should be a helping hand not a way of life. The best charity is a job. The Church can help people get on their feet and the Republicans can provide them with a job. When everyone who is able to work has a job the economy will take care of the rest.