American Bishops stated that Catholics must follow church teaching when voting next year, and that abortion should be the priority.  In other words:  Thou Shalt Vote Republican (if you’re Catholic).  Isn’t that a violation of the separation of Church and State?  Granted the bishops aren’t coming right out and saying, “You will vote for InsertRepublicanHere.”  But, they may as well.   Also, why should abortion be the priority.  Wouldn’t the abortion rate be lower if poverty were lower?  You really can’t support a family when you’re working at Wal-Mart for $6.75.  Not that plenty of women aren’t trying.  How many women choose abortion because they simply can’t afford to take care of the child?  I don’t have an answer to that, I’m just posing the question.  What about affordable child care?  It can be a real nightmare trying to line up affordable quality childcare, if you’re a working mother.  In my area, child care for an infant is about $125 per week.  If you’re working for $6.75, that is almost half your gross.  Again, in the area where I live one of the higest paying employers requires its employees to work swing shifts.  There is no exception for women with children.  I’ve known women who had to either pass up the opportunity to work there or had to quit because of child care issues.  At the same place, if you call in more than 3 times in 90 days, you’re fired.  Children get sick.  You can’t take them to daycare, if they’re sick.  So, what’s a woman with children supposed to do?

Honestly, I agree with Republicans on some issues and with the Democrats on others.  There’s issues I passionately disagree with both sides on.  But, IMHO, who I choose to vote for is between me and my conscience, and I don’t think the Catholic Church or any other church has a right to tell me that if I don’t vote a certain way I’ll be excommunicated or I’m not saved.  To quote a bumper sticker I see around here:  God Is NOT a Republican (or a Democrat).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071114/ap_on_re_us/catholic_bishops