Solomon's Porch Thursday Night

Friends:

This Thursday we will meet for Solomon’s Porch at First Cup Coffee House, Five Mile and Inkster, from 7-8 pm. The discussion for this week will be:

Within the next month our national presidential election will become a two member race leading up to the election in November. This week’s issue of Time magazine looks at the economic challenges facing the incoming president and breaks the pathways toward potential stimulation to the following five categories:

Income: Less than one percent of Americans are doing better than they were in 2000, and if we adjust for inflation, the average American household survives on approximately $1,000 less than in ’00.

Taxes: The bill for the deficit is due. Yes everyone’s for tax cuts. For the fiscal year 2008, which ends in September, the government will probably spend $500 billion more than it takes in, a deficit of 3.5% of the GNP.

Energy: With gas prices hovering over $4 a gallon, Americans are beginning to realize that burning fossil fuels isn’t and energy policy. Do we need to get one?

Real Estate: A house in an American dream, but the tax break proves costly to many Americans. In 2007, 1.5 million homes fell into foreclosure, and that number is expected to increase in 2008.

Financial Security: Do rising health care costs and unstable retirement programs scare you? If they do, you are not alone.

First, as an individual citizen of this country, how would you rate the importance of each of these areas of potential economic stimulus as an immediate priority of our next president?

Second, if you re-look at this list through the lens of a person of faith, does your list change?

I am looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow at 7 pm.

Peace,
PB